"7 eMotions" delves into the complicated inner lives of artists with the aim to reveal how their rich panoply of feelings is turned into timeless works of art. The author and cultural journalist Ioana Bâldea Constantinescu and seven contemporary Romanian composers explore the seven powerful human affects that define our psychological life and inspire our creativity: disgust, anger, sadness, surprise, contempt, joy, and fear.

The fifth episode of the series, an original composition by Sebastian Androne Nakanishi with Andreea Țimiraș on cello, deals with the feeling of contempt.

7 eMotions

Disprezzo

Andreea Țimiraș (cello) – Disprezzo, by Sebastian Androne Nakanishi

Narcisism

The title of the piece "0.K." carries multiple meanings, each adding layers of complexity and irony. From "zero knowledge," a technical term in cryptography, to the absolute temperature of "0 degrees Kelvin," and the omnipresent use of the expression "ok." There's also a popular but mistaken interpretation that suggests "ok" originates from "0 killed," meaning no casualties in a conflict. These meanings intertwine, confront each other, and dissolve reciprocally without losing their initial significance. Thus, the concept of stasis and inertia, suggested by 0 Kelvin, gets contaminated with ideas of confidentiality and complexity from cryptography, turning into a riddle of "secretiveness."

The piece "0.K." is an invitation to deep reflection, aware of the potential initial impression of triviality or superficiality. However, at its heart, the piece deeply probes the themes of excess, disorder, chaos, and division. It compels us to reflect on our existence and the consequences of our actions. Key questions surface throughout: What have we sacrificed? What values have we abandoned in our pursuit of trivial goals, even to the extent of causing harm to others? Where can we find true meaning? What place does the sacred hold in our lives today? Understanding these questions is crucial to fully appreciating both the composition and the experience it offers to listeners.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Marin Cazacu, who commissioned this piece, setting the stage for its creation. Gratitude is also due to Dmitry Matvienko, the remarkable conductor whose talent and vision brought the composition to life. Last but not least, my appreciation goes out to the orchestra, whose skilled musicians tackled and masterfully performed this challenging piece of music. Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in realizing the full potential of the work.

0.k. (2023)

Albumul "DOINA- Horea Lunga, Cantec Arhaic Romanesc din Maramures" Maria Casandra Hausi
Toate drepturile producătorului și autorului sunt rezervate. Utilizarea neautorizată acestei înregistrări prin copiere, împrumut, prezentare publică sau trasmitere radio si TV este strict interzisă și se pedepsește conform legii.
C & P Gavril Tarmure Societatea de Concerte Bistrita, Romania 2011
RNF 118/ 22. 11. 2011

08 "Mult ma-ntreaba cucu vara" Maria-Casandra Hausi

Starship to another Sun

Tempête et Calme, for Mixed Choir & Piano

Poem: Jules Verne
Music: Ivan Boumans

Ensemble Vocal Luxembourg - 12/11/2016

Tempête et Calme

Mountain Glee by Piotr Musial

Ionut Teodorescu - A Long Story Short

written by Pablo Jókay
performed by Nils Wrasse (tenor sax), Sam Hylton (piano), Robin Jermer (bass) & Flurin Mück (drums)

Jazzkomposition

Little Big Brother

Written by Pablo Jókay
Performed by Ulrich Wangenheim (as), Ricardo Lovatto (git), Thomas Ganzenmüller (b), Flurin Mück (dr)

Manic Cyclist

"Hannya" for noh voice and string quartet
Live rec from premiere - Tokyo, 20.10.2020
Ryoko Aoky, noh
'ensemble no'
Yasutaka Hemmi, 1st violin 
Yoshu Kamei, 2nd violin 
Takahiro Yasuda, viola
Aki Kitajima, cello

***

Written for the great Ryoko Aoki and ensemble-no, “Hannya” started from my obsession with the Hannya mask in Japanese Noh theatre and, at the same time, with the myths about snakes in ancient Romanian folklore. The characters that wear the Hannya mask are women or souls of women that became demons, often in the shape of snakes or dragons, because of strong negative emotions, such as jealousy or obsession. In Romanian mythology, the snake is often a benefic symbol, but through successive ritualic transformations, it becomes a “zmeu”, a hominoid creature with “evil”, perverted characteristics. So, in a very general way, in Japan the human becomes a snake through malefic emotions, while in Romania the snakes become malefic by acquiring human traits. 

I found this interesting and I chose very short fragments from the very famous “Dōjōji” play as a basis for a sort of chamber music - monodrama piece that mixes Noh theater text with Balkan musical influences. A “Balkan Noh-mini play” of sorts. Ryoko’s character is a monster, but a monster in pain that, through telling her own story, seems to find redemption in the end. The storytelling thus becomes a ritualic act of purification. The work is divided in 6 small sections – 1. Story, 2. Monster, 3. Lament, 4. Dance, 5. Echoes.

***

Text from “Dōjōji” [ENG translation]:

1. Story

Once upon a time, in this province, there was a lord of the manor in Manago who had a daughter. A chief of mountain priests visited the sacred shrine of Kumano from Oshu annually and stayed at the lord’s house every year. 

One day the lord teased his young daughter and joked that the mountain priest must be her future husband. The daughter grew up taking the story seriously in her childish mind.)

After years, when the mountain priest visited the lord’s house in Manago, the daughter came to the mountain priest’s room at night after people fell asleep and told him, “How long are you going to leave me alone? Please come marry me and take me to Oshu soon.” With her sudden request, the mountain priest was astonished but managed to soothe her. Then he ran away from the inn during the dark night, and came to this Dojo-ji Temple. In response to his request to help him, the priest and monks hid him in the bell by lowering it since any other suitable place was found.

2. Monster

My sin must have disappeared. I would go to observe the holy rite for the hanging bell.

When the moon has almost set, when the tide has almost ebbed, I had passed Komatsubara hazed by the mist from the ocean. As my heart hastens, I could reach the Dojo-ji Temple before sunset. I arrived at the Dojo-ji Temple.

3. Lament

Let me observe the rite of the renewed bell.
Would you please permit me to observe the rite.
I am different from other women.
I would like to offer a great dance.
I am different from other women.

4. Dance

Meanwhile, the daughter made up her mind not to let him escape and ran after the mountain priest. However, the water level of the Hidaka-gawa River was so high that she could not cross the river. While she ran up and down the river bank, her excessive attachment toward the man finally transformed her into a monstrous snake. The snake easily crossed the river and arrived at this temple. After searched him all over the temple, the snake felt suspicious of the bell on the ground. The snake held the crown of the bell between its teeth, coiled around the bell by seven-folds, and blew fire to it. When the snake hit the bell with its tail, the bell instantly melted down and the mountain priest disappeared together with the bell....

5. Echoes

My sin must have disappeared.

Hannya

Sebastian Androne-Nakanishi is a multiple award-winning composer who writes both contemporary concert music and soundtracks for theater, film & video games.
​
He studied music composition in Romania, Great Britain, France and Switzerland his music being performed all around Europe and beyond by established ensembles and orchestras. He finished his Doctorate in 2018 at the National University of Music from Bucharest and his second Master degree (in composition for film, theatre and media) in 2022.

0.k. (2023)

Sebastian Androne-Nakanishi

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