Homage to Kandinsky is an improvisatory networked music performance to celebrate the life of Wassily Kandinsky during the 100th Anniversary of the Bauhaus design school. The performance features Internet music ensemble Ethernet Orchestra interpreting Kandinsky’s Improvisation series paintings as graphic scores to guide semi-structured improvisatory performances by the geographically displaced musical ensemble. The performance was originally commissioned for the first closing ceremony of the international Bauhaus Bus project at the University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule, Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Improvisation 26 (Rowing) by Wassily Kandinsky (1913) – watch

Performers:

Holger Deuter (keyboards) live at University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern.

Roger Mills (processed trumpets) – Sydney, Australia

Chris Vine (guitars and electronics) – Londrina Brazil

‘Improvisation’ is a series of paintings that reflect Kandinsky’s stated belief that improvisation is an essential characteristic of how artists express their “inner nature” and feelings in their art. This idea shares many synergies with the way that Ethernet Orchestra approaches their tele-improvisatory performances and recordings. It also played an important role in Kandinsky’s work and teaching at the Bauhaus, which is still regarded today as a pioneering school of art and design.

Roger Mills and Chris Vine warming up before the performance at University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 2019.

Improvisation 34 live at University of Applied Sciences, Kaiserslautern, Germany, April 2019.