Spark 8 | Music by David Friedman, Händel, Debussy, McCoy Tyner | Discussion: “Improvisation in art, science, life”

Improvisation is a skill most often associated with music or theater, but it also plays a significant role in our daily lives, from minor moments to major challenges! In this special edition of SPARK – a regular series at the Max Delbrück Center – for Berlin Science Week 2024, researchers and artists explore common ground and share how improvisation helps them navigate unforeseen obstacles, tackle creative problems, and generate fresh ideas that might lead to surprising discoveries. 

6 - 7pm      Concert 

SooJin Anjou, piano

David Friedman, vibraphone

G. F. Händel                 Keyboard Suite Nr. 2

(arranged by SooJin Anjou for vibraphone and piano***)

D. Friedman                  Undercurrents*** for vibraphone and piano

C. Debussy                  Clair de lune, with an improvised response by D. Friedman

An improvised solo set by David Friedman

                                                         ***commissioned by Spark, world premiere

7.15 - 8pm       Discussion: “Improvisation in art, science, life”  

With SooJin Anjou, David Friedman, Pablo Castagnola (photographer), Dr. Fabian Coscia (biologist, proteomics researcher), moderated by Dr. Michela Di Virgilio (molecular biologist)

Pianist SooJin Anjou enjoys an astonishingly varied international career as soloist, chamber musician and partner in diverse interdisciplinary projects. Born in South Korea, she was educated in the United States, Hungary and Germany.  She graduated from the Juilliard School as the only person in its history to win both of Juilliard’s undergraduate commencement prizes, for achievement and leadership in music and the liberal arts. While still a student, she was prominently featured in Asahi-TV’s documentary “New York, New Yorkers” , which was televised in many parts of Asia and released on DVD.  

SooJin Anjou is an avid performer of contemporary music, and composers have been entrusting their work to her since she was 15. She has premiered works by, among others, Valentin Silvestrov, Elena Kats-Chernin and David Del Tredici.  Her world-premiere recording of the complete piano works of electronic music legend Morton Subotnick was released to great acclaim, eliciting such praise as “magical and beguiling” (Wire Magazine, London).

As soloist, she made her Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at  age 16 with Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto. She is a laureate of the Robert Schumann International Piano Competition (Zwickau, Germany) and the Orléans International Piano Competition (France).   Her broad repertoire includes more than 40 concertos, ranging from Bach to Berio, as well as the complete works of Ravel.

David Friedman is an acclaimed American vibraphonist, composer and educator, recognized for his contributions to jazz and contemporary music. Born in 1944 in New York City, Friedman began his musical journey as a classical percussionist at The Juilliard School. Early in his career, he had the opportunity to perform with such legendary figures as Leonard Bernstein, Luciano Berio, Wayne Shorter and Bobby McFerrin, showcasing his versatility across different musical styles.

In the 1970s, Friedman became internationally known for his work as a vibraphonist, collaborating with jazz icons like Chet Baker and Horace Silver. He formed the groundbreaking duo Double Image with fellow vibraphonist Dave Samuels, pushing the boundaries of vibraphone performance and composition.

As an educator, Friedman has had a profound impact on generations of musicians. He was a founding faculty member and director of the Jazz Institute Berlin, where he has taught since 2002. In addition, he has led innovative workshops and masterclasses on improvisation and composition worldwide.

David Friedman’s compositions encompass a wide range of genres, from jazz to orchestral music, reflecting his deep understanding of rhythm and harmony. He has appeared on numerous albums as both a leader and collaborator, and is currently working on a book about creativity, drawing from his extensive experience as a genre-defying artist.

This event also doubles as a vernissage for the photo exhibit “Discoverers”, a portrait series by Pablo Castagnola of MDC group leaders.
 

Photo credits: Pablo Castagnola