Teresa of Avila’s work The Interior Castle (Il Castello interiore), published during the Inquisition, describes a soul’s transmigration through seven so-called “inner apartments.” The apartments relate to one another and, in their sequence, describe mental and spiritual perfection.
At a central point, Teresa of Avila uses the “caterpillar-butterfly” parable: the pupation and the associated death of the caterpillar, including rebirth as a butterfly, represent a decisive turning point in consciousness and perception.
This moment of transformation and its spiritual environment is also central to Zen culture, where they are referred to as “M?”: the emptiness that is full of possibilities, a reversal born of the hard-fought “non-will,” which draws its origin from the individual’s desire for detachment from material things in every sense.
M?/Wanderin is about a search along paths of despair and hope.
Andrej Koroliov, a German composer and pianist, is known for his ability to blend acoustic and electronic sounds, creating innovative sonic experiences that challenge the conventions of contemporary music. His composition M?/Wanderin for Ensemble reflects this exploration, merging instrumental and electronic elements into an immersive and dynamic experience. Performed by the Decoder Ensemble, a group renowned for its innovative approach and distinctive energy, the piece explores new sonic horizons, where instrumental music, physical performance, and multimedia elements intertwine. With its unique sound, the ensemble transcends traditional chamber music, creating an atmosphere that fully engages the audience and invites a fresh approach to experiencing music.
cello: Sonja Lena Schmid
drums and percussion: Jonathan Shapiro
e-zither: Leopold Hurt
keys: Andrej Koroliov
clarinets: Carola Schaal
light, sound and electronics: Alexander Schubert
