COMPOSER TO MARK ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST MANNED SPACE FLIGHT WITH EXPANDED LIVE PERFORMANCE OF ACCLAIMED ‘GAGARIN QUARTETS’ SOUND & VISION EXPERIENCE AT BRUNEL MUSEUM
The unique show will take place on the 12th April in the Museum’s stunning new Tunnel Shaft space, 16 metres underground.
Composer Nicholas de Carlo has announced that a new iteration of his Gagarin Quartets project will be performed by the hugely-admired Modulus Quartet will be performed in the Brunel Museum’s unique Tunnel Shaft space on Wednesday 12th April 2023.
The performance, earlier iterations of which won five-star reviews, centres on an original score for string quartet inspired by Yuri Gagarin’s astonishing inaugural voyage into space, performed by the acclaimed Modulus Quartet. The immersive, transportive experience also includes site-specific lighting, projected film and original animations by Johnny Goddard & Julian Bigg.
de Carlo: “Gagarin’s story is one of the most compelling in human history, but I feel too often it’s explored mostly through a prism of cold war iconography. I wanted to imagine what those 108 minutes were like on a purely human scale, to try to communicate or illuminate the sheer dread, wonder and beauty of being the first human to leave the Earth, and to return.”
As with Gagarin’s flight, the audience experience lasts precisely 108 minutes (including an interval with projections and soundscapes). Similarly, the date of the performance is no coincidence.
de Carlo: “I really wanted to reveal this brand new version on the anniversary, which is also International Space Flight Day, but of course that brings its own challenges in terms of venue availability. Gagarin Quartets is a hugely atmospheric performance, and it really needs a site that brings its own energy to the experience. We were so thrilled to be able to make the dates work with the Tunnel Shaft at the Brunel Museum, it’s a perfect venue for this work.”
Earlier versions of the work have been performed in the architecturally striking St George’s Church, Ramsgate (2022) and a 24hr immersive installation the historic Ramsgate Tunnels (2018). Both events were completely sold-out. In 2011 & 2012, three versions were also performed in Berlin.
The show will be performed twice, at 4pm & 7pm. Alicja SobczaK, Events Coordinator at The Brunel Museum: “We’re really excited to be able to bring this unique performance to the Tunnel Shaft on the anniversary of Gagarin’s flight. It’s a perfect use of the space and we can’t wait for the audience to see, hear and feel this wonderful show.”
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