A duo of pianists take the stage at the Astrada this Saturday evening for a concert anchored in time that explores the minimalist movement of the 1960s.
From the sidewalks of Manhattan described in “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein, to the quays of Ellis Island (Meredith Mond) where migrants historically landed, to a roadside snack for truckers with “Hallejah Junction” by John Adams… Astrada spectators will travel to the heart of the United States this Saturday evening.
Pianists Vanessa Wagner and Wilhem Latchoumia will be on stage at the Marciac hall to present their show “This is America”. A dive into the American minimalist current of the mid-1960s: the latter was familiar with the avant-garde for a long time before winning, over the years, a much wider audience and establishing itself as a major stage in contemporary music. . Terry Riley, La Monte Young or even Steve Reich have thus reached a wider audience than that of classical music but have also encountered criticism from certain commentators, who considered their musical proposal to be simplistic or superficial.
And it is precisely to dissipate this malaise that the duo, who have been playing together for several years, have chosen this musical language in its own right. They interpret works by Meredith Monk, Leonard Bernstein, John Adams and Philip Glass, adding their touch and thus form a duo of rare elegance.