Impulse: Music in Motion is a memorised, kinetic performance of Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, developed in partnership with our longstanding collaborator, choreographer Örjan Andersson.
The two works that make up this production are truly iconic pieces of string repertoire. Together, they encompass the entire human emotional spectrum. From the darkest, desolate despair, the kind that burrows into the corners of your psyche, to utter euphoria, the kind that sets you free. This is the human condition painted in high intensity colours. Through memorisation and movement, and the incredible trust and commitment this requires of our performers, we transform how an audience hears, sees and ultimately feels this music.
Impulse: Music in Motion was premiered during a tour of Scotland in Spring 2024 and has since been performed at RNCM in Manchester. Future touring plans include Oxford, Norwich and European performances.
Absolutely fantastic. The
choreography brought the music
alive in a totally new way. One of
the best things I’ve ever seen.
Shostakovich’s Chamber
Symphony is already a work of raw
emotion, and seeing it embodied so
fully takes us straight to the heart
of the composer’s angst.
To have the music so ingrained that
the need for its written reminder is
unnecessary allows for a deeper
relationship between each player and the
work, and with each other
Insight into the development of Impulse
Filmed in November 2023, during the first development session of Impulse, Scottish Ensemble’s artistic director, Jonathan Morton and choreographer, Örjan Andersson, discuss how music and movement are combined to create this ground-breaking new take on the classical concert.
Production Photos
Photos (c) Foxbrush
For further enquiries about Impulse: Music in Motion contact James Hardie, Chief Executive.