Lost in Loops

For the 25th anniversary of NICO AND THE NAVIGATORS

“Extremely well succeeded is the illustration of Georges Aperghis’ “Récitation No. 10” (subtly arranged by conductor Jonathan Stockhammer), in which Hümpel lets the individual recited words become the “yoga flow” of a gymnastics class. Another work from the field of new music (Sciarrino’s “6 Capricci per Violin”) also provides an interesting, even music-mediating counterpoint. Scenes of sass, freshness and wit … also stand out positively.”
Susanne Westenfelder / OPERNWELT

Based on the piece “Shaker Loops” by John Adams, Nico and the Navigators are developing an evening for the Konzerthaus Berlin that takes the title of the composition in the 1983 version for string orchestra as the occasion for contemporary associations.

The work, which is divided into the four movements “Shaking and Trembling”, “Hymning Slews”, “Loops and Verses” and “A Final Shaking”, refers to the rite of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, whose liturgical dances earned it the nickname “Shaker”.

Founded in England, the free church, which in its heyday in the 19th century had around 6,000 members in about 20 American settlements, is famous for its work ethic (“Hands to Work and Hearts to God”), the renunciation of private property and its egalitarian form of living together, which knows no hierarchy of gender or skin colour within the community. However, the Shakers combine these Enlightenment ideas with strict celibacy, so that they have almost died out as a religious community due to a lack of new members and no natural offspring – a peculiar elite that consciously accepts its foreseeable demise because of its faith.

In terms of cultural history, the “Shakers” are not only famous for their architecture and furniture design, but also for dances with which they put themselves into a trance-like state – and which inspired John Adams to write his suite in the spirit of minimal music.

If we look at our time against this historical background, many possible approaches to a navigational approach emerge: on the one hand, the models for the “Shaker Loops” are an example of contactless dance, in which the individual must seek his ecstatic moments in a group without being allowed to find direct contact with his counterpart – a spiritual community with simultaneous physical abstinence.

On the other hand, the confrontation of a progress-oriented worldview with an irrational expectation of the end times reflects many modern life designs between mindfulness and fear … an ambivalent existence that intensifies in pandemic times:

In addition to consideration for the climate and the environment, to consciously restricting our mobility and consumption behaviour, we now also have to worry about the health of our fellow human beings, which in some cases forces us to forego face-to-face encounters, lavish celebrations and large-scale events.

In the face of these crisis-like experiences, there is a threat of radicalisation and the breaking of the social contract that had been valid until then, lateral thinkers and radical right-wing slogans are spreading … Shakers in loops, dancers in loops?

Nico and the Navigators will frame and interrupt the central work of the evening with other pieces from 20th and 21st century music as well as pop and rock. In addition, they will enrich the scenic concert with typically navigational dances and texts that correspond to the feeling of life between threatening resignation in loneliness and a persistent longing for community.

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Dates

Sa. 18. Feb. 2023
20:00 Uhr
Konzerthaus Berlin - Berlin

Cast

Nicola Hümpel Artistic Direction >>
Jonathan Stockhammer Musical direction >>
Andreas Hillger Dramaturgy >>
Oliver Proske stage >>
Konzerthausorchester Berlin Orchestra >>
Peyee Chen Soprano >>
Nikolay Borchev Bass baritone >>
Ted Schmitz Tenor >>
Martin Clausen Actor >>
Patric Schott Actor >>
Alba de Miguel dance >>
Florian Graul Dance, Choreography >>
Elfa Run Kristinsdottir Violin, Viola >>
Tobias Weber Guitar >>
Matan Porat Piano >>
Paul Hübner Trumpet >>
Philipp Kullen Drums >>
Andreas Fuchs Lighting Design >>
David Winter Light >>
Sebastian Reuter Sound Design >>
Marie Akoury Costumes >>
Nicola Hümpel Costumes >>
Hendrik Fritze Video >>
Sophie Krause Video >>
Shira Szabady Artistic collaboration >>
Henrike Wiemann Artistic collaboration >>
Sonja Winkler Stage design assistance >>
Franziska Katharina Huhn Production >>
Talea Nuxoll Production >>
Leonie Schirra Production >>
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Als begleitendes Education-Projekt zur Jubiläums-Produktion "Lost in Loops" ist mit Schüler*innen der SchuleEins Pankow dieser Film entstanden. Über mehrere Monate arbeiteten Schülerinnen und Schüler unter der Anleitung von Martin Clausen sowie mit Patric Schott, Hendrik Fritze und Daniel Seminare zu den Themen Rausch und Betäubung, Ängste und Zukunft.

Press reviews

Susanne Westenfelder / OPERNWELT

“The centrepiece of the evening is John Adams’ string septet ‘Shaker Loops’ (1978) … The choreographies for the individual movements are effective. At the beginning of the second movement, a plastic bag dances its lonely dance in a wind vortex created on stage. A beautifully reduced, poetic quotation from the film ‘American Beauty’ (at the same time a reference to the founding period of Nico and the Navigators, as the film was released in 1999).”
Susanne Westenfelder / OPERNWELT

A production by Nico and the Navigators, funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe. In co-production with Konzerthaus Berlin and in collaboration with Radialsystem.

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