Virtual and acoustic in new violin concerto

Over the years, Jesper Nordin has created a unique place for himself between composition and innovative interactive technology. Works performed together with the Esa Pekka Salonen, where the Finnish star conductor had to control a virtual orchestra with his movements together with a live orchestra, are examples of how it can be.

In “Convergence”, which will have its world premiere in San Francisco on October 7-8, Esa Pekka Salonen plays virtual instruments himself together with the symphony orchestra. The Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto also participates.

For him, however, Nordin had to come up with a new way of working because both of his hands are occupied with the physical instrument.

TT: How do you perceive this work as an audience?

— The hope is that it will merge into a piece of music. It should be seen as a whole. At the same time, I think it’s nice to show what’s acoustic, what’s digital.

To illustrate just this, Nordin has had a French artist process all the data and visualize the electronic part of the music behind the orchestra, he says.

In addition to the premiere, Jesper Nordin also has other business in San Francisco. The music technology he has developed can work for computer games.

— My music is not suitable for games, notes Nordin, but my technology is well adapted.

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