Darmstadt at 80 Festival: Mivos Quartet plays Rebecca Saunders and Herbert Brün // Yaron Deutsch // GBSR Duo
Mivos Quartet, Yaron Deutsch, GBSR Duo
Roulette509 Atlantic Ave, New York 11217
Darmstadt at 80 brings three sets to Roulette: Mivos Quartet plays music by Rebecca Saunders and Herbert Brün; guitarist Yaron Deutsch appears in a solo set; and GBSR Duo performs. The program is part of a two-night mini-festival marking the 80th anniversary of the Internationales Musikinstitut Darmstadt Summer Course for New Music. Archival listening sessions and lectures run across both nights, placing the performances alongside material on Darmstadt’s historical legacy and its continuing influence.
The festival looks back to the Darmstadt Summer Course as a global meeting point for postwar experimentation, exchange, and creative risk. Its anniversary program pairs performers with composers connected to that history while making room for separate perspectives across the evening: Mivos Quartet’s Saunders and Brün program, Yaron Deutsch’s guitar set, and GBSR Duo. The following night extends the festival with the New York premiere of Anthony Braxton’s recent concert work Thunder Music, performed by members of International Contemporary Ensemble and the Tri-Centric Orchestra, and Stockhausen’s Kontakte performed by GBSR Duo. Together, the two nights trace an evolving Darmstadt legacy through live performance, recorded archives, and discussion.
Roulette occupies a beautifully restored 1928 Art Deco theater in Downtown Brooklyn, offering a spacious concert hall with a dramatic proscenium and a balcony that seats up to 400. The venue is known for its exceptional acoustics and sightlines, making every note clear from front to back. Shows here focus on adventurous and experimental music, often featuring world premieres and collaborations across disciplines. The audience is typically attentive, drawn by the venue's commitment to innovative performances rather than casual socializing. A full bar is available, and seating is flexible, with cushioned chairs arranged to suit each event. The venue’s professional sound and lighting systems enhance the experience, and performances are ticketed, with advance purchase recommended. Expect an evening of thoughtful, boundary-pushing art in a setting that respects both the performers and the audience.