Portuguese composer Nuno Lobo is preparing for the premiere of a work at the Berlin Philharmonic, which is based on Hieronymus Bosch's painting 'The Garden of Earthly Delights'. The project aims to transform the building's foyer into a forest environment with active participation from the audience.
The premiere of the piece titled 'Leshy' is scheduled for October 21st at 13:00. The performance will feature saxophonist Aina Font and percussionist Agostinho Sequeira. Nuno Lobo himself will be on stage, directing the actions of the participating audience.
Currently teaching at the Amsterdam Conservatory, Lobo studied at this Dutch institution, where he met Font, with whom he is now collaborating on this new piece. The composer told the publication Lusa that the goal of the work is to be recorded for a new music album.
The album is intended to establish a connection with Bosch's classical work, so the composer was tasked with studying the painting, paying particular attention to the right panel. At age 30, he admitted that upon examining the painting, he was struck by the enormous number of details, which makes it difficult to create a work covering all aspects of the piece.
After conducting his research, Nuno Lobo decided to focus on the central figure, which he described as a kind of 'man-tree' or hybrid creature whose legs begin to transform into roots. He explained that this is where the idea originated to create a forest where the public would become these trees, and he wants to involve the musicians in a kind of sound forest.
The Portuguese composer also mentioned being inspired by the Slavic mythological figure Leshy, who served as a protector of the forest. According to legend, he could play tricks on hostile people, creating trees or changing routes so that lost people remained lost, while whistling and whispering.
He added that, inspired by this figure, the audience will whistle and whisper during the performance, and Lobo himself will be on stage with the musicians, giving instructions to the public regarding moments of participation.
Lobo drew attention to a small detail on the painting located below this figure: it is a 'musical notation drawn on the buttocks of a character lying on the ground'. This notation indeed contains musical notes, allowing for the creation of a melody lasting about 30 seconds, and it has been included in the piece he wrote.
Nuno Lobo, who resides in Amsterdam, has collaborated with institutions such as the Dutch National Opera, Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, and Oranjewoud Festival. He has also worked with ensembles like Nieuw Ensemble and Maat Saxophone Quartet, which includes Portuguese musicians living in the Netherlands. In 2020, he participated in the young composer program at Casa da Música in Porto. Among his works, many of which have received awards at European and US competitions and festivals, stands out '303|Circ. Praça Constituição'—a descriptive piece accompanying the ring road of Liberdade – Constituição Square in Porto, as well as the orchestration of the soundtrack for the short film 'Ice Merchants' by João Gonçalves.