Persymphans is the first ever symphony ensemble with no conductor, that was based in Moscow in 1922-1933. That time it would strike its listeners with the highest level of performance of either well-known classical masterpieces, or then new music. Persymphans was recreated in 2009, and the band has been constantly touring Russia and Europe ever since to the sold out venues, not unlike in 1920’s! There’s no other ensemble whose musicians work with such a tight collaboration and “co-creativity”, and no other band can involve audience: their audience can always be the true accomplice in what’s happening on stage!

Enlightenment is the most important task the band undertook. Its programs usually go with the appropriate commentary and explanation, especially in the case of rarely performed or new music.

This programmer is about minimalism in music. Minimalism is a style of academic avant guard music, appeared in the second half of the 1960’s. The term “minimalism” is considered to be coined by Michael Nyman. The famous British music critic and composer first used it in his book “Experimental Music: Cage and Beyond”. As a style of music, minimalism is based on simplest “cells” – pitch plus rhythm – and their endless repetition (“repetitive music” is another popular, if somewhat obsolete, term) bring listener in a state of meditation. Pleasure of sound as a self-valuable thing, and static perception of time are the basis of the style’s esthetics.

In its new programme Persymphans proudly introduces the music of three of the most prominent American minimalists. All of them are Pulitzer prize winners. Steve Reich was one of the first to begin composing in this style. Most of pieces of John Adams are minimalism with electronic music. The last, but not the least is Julia Wolfe of Bang on a Can Fame.