Moving Strings

Moving Strings work together since 2018. We enjoy performing indoors and outdoors, shaping around every kind of space and audience. We created outdoor site-specific pieces at the Vogelbuurt in Amsterdam Noord, and performed at Mixtural series, Zaal100 and 4bid Gallery, Amsterdam. We are currently ensemble-in-residence for one year at Splendor, Amsterdam, where we performed in 2020 our first debut Changing Strings, including a piece by choreographer Manuela Tessi, with whom we collaborate closely. Currently, as part of the residency, we hold regular open sessions, workshops, rehearsals and performances. Bodying Sounds, our previous production was performed at Perdu theater, Amsterdam and at De Nijverheid, Utrecht, as part of Gaudeamus Muziekweek 2021, with the support of Fonds Podium Kunsten.
We teach as a guest ensemble at Codarts, Rotterdam, as part of Incubator. Recently we created a soundtrack for Chapter 1 - The Epopee of Lucretia / Act I - The city installation by Sonia Kazovsky, as part of Art Rotterdam.

For more information go to: www.movingstrings.com
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Our very first project in 2018
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For 1 month Maya Felixbrodt(viola) and I were Artist in Residence of The Muziekstraat! In the diverse and lively neighbourhood 'De Vogelbuurt' in Amsterdam Noord the work has been moving and amazing shapes, improvisations, conversations, interactions and pieces have been made. 
A major part of our work has been with The Moving Strings. A collective of string players specialised in instant composition. Together we have been exploring our moving bodies in space whilst playing our instruments. When playing an string instrument the sound is produced by the bow moving over the string. The bow is moved by the string player and so you could say all the string player does is making very specific and detailed moments to get a specific sound out of the instrument. This direct connection between sound and movement has been the starting point of our enquiry. We explored the direct influence of movement in the sound but also used our moving bodies in space. How do you go down to the floor whilst playing your instrument and how does a turn influences the sound and your perspective on the room? 

The mornings we used for skill development which we then applied in the afternoon work outside in the neighbourhood. Inspired by shapes, conversations, places and inhabitants we developed a great body of work which was presented during a neighbourhood walk on the last day of our residency. 
It was a great joy to be so integrated in the neighbourhood. The presence of our instruments, music and movement gave a fresh and unexpected element to the space. It opens up an open conversation and interaction which invited children and adults to observe or join our work outside.