A Child of Sound: A Journey Through the 70th International Festival of Contemporary Music

Caterina Barbieri, the visionary director, has chosen the evocative title A Child of Sound for the 70th International Festival of Contemporary Music in Venice, running from 10 to 24 October. This concept emphasizes music as a form of spiritual infancy, encouraging an experience that reconnects participants to an essential state of wonder and creativity. Barbieri draws a compelling parallel between the innocent curiosity of a child’s first encounter with sound and the transformative power of music, which has the ability to disarm and engage us in profound ways.

Drawing from the philosophies of influential avant-garde figures like Karlheinz Stockhausen, Barbieri posits that the capacity to listen with an open heart and an unfiltered mind is synonymous with the essence of childhood. For Stockhausen, musical experimentation was akin to a child’s play, where the musician must approach sound without preconceived notions or cultural constraints. The Festival aspires to create a space where radical listening can flourish, invoking the spirit of exploration akin to that of a child.

A Rich Tapestry of Sound

The Festival promises an exciting array of performances, with 130 artists participating in over 40 events, featuring 23 new works, 18 of which are world premieres. The lineup reflects a remarkable diversity, melding traditions and innovations across genres, eras, and styles. Through this kaleidoscopic program, Biennale Musica 2026 continues last year’s curatorial vision of dynamic, participatory modes of listening.

World Premieres and Innovative Collaborations

Highlighting the Festival’s commitment to original compositions, the Parco della Musica Contemporanea Ensemble will feature the world premiere of Musica per una fine by the late Ennio Morricone. This posthumously unveiled work, inspired by a poem from the venerable Pier Paolo Pasolini, promises to be a landmark event. Complemented by a program including music from Johann Sebastian Bach and a new commission from contemporary luminary Sarah Davachi, the evening will reflect a harmony between the classical and avant-garde.

In another highlight, Lyra Pramuk and Iranian percussionist Mohammad Reza Mortazevi will unite their talents in a transcultural work commissioned for the Festival. Their collaboration signifies a melding of tradition and modernity, exploring electronic layers and avant-garde techniques to reinterpret timeless folk traditions.

Voices Resounding Through History

The Tallis Scholars will transport audiences across time with their concert titled Chants, uniting sacred vocal traditions from the High Medieval to the contemporary. This musical journey emphasizes song as a medium for spiritual elevation and healing. With powerful renditions of antiphons and hymns, the concert promises to encapsulate the essence of music as a divine conduit, featuring both historical and contemporary composers including Hildegard von Bingen and Arvo Pärt.

Also acclaimed will be the Italian premiere of Canons for a cappella choir by Clarissa Connelly, as she explores the complex interplay between historical memory and modernity through her mystical compositions.

A Rich Cultural Exchange

The Festival will also feature the Mazaher Ensemble, which preserves the ancient tradition of zār – a communal healing ritual consisting of dances and songs. Their performances aim to bridge cultural divides, offering workshops to engage with local musicians. Such interactions highlight the Festival’s objective to facilitate cultural exchange through music.

Delving into contemporary music, the vibrancy of Singeli, a fast-paced electronic genre from Tanzania, will take center stage with performances from artists like Dj Travella and Jay Mitta. This showcases a grassroots cultural movement emblematic of the youth’s voices from Dar es Salaam.

Reimagining Sounds

On the experimental spectrum, Walter Zanetti will present Cantos Yoruba de Cuba, highlighting Afro-Cuban sacred music through classical guitar. This nuanced exploration sheds light on the spiritual essence of batà songs, while El Decameron Negro, a groundbreaking piece by Juan Leo Brouwer, will offer an Afro-Cuban fusion of folk and cultured music.

A special event focusing on guitar will also take place, featuring emerging talents commissioned by La Biennale. Artists ML Buch and Gigi Masin will showcase their unique experimental styles, further enriching the Festival’s offerings.

New Voices and Pioneering Figures

The Festival is poised to debut fresh talents such as Marta De Pascalis and Grand River, whose experimental electronic works will feature prominently. Meanwhile, ambient music pioneer Laraaji will captivate audiences with his meditative performances that promise profound sonic experiences.

Likewise, the radical improvisational style of Keiji Haino, this year’s recipient of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, will resonate deeply within the Festival’s theme. His work represents the essence of free artistic expression as a means of liberation.

A Sensory Encounter

One of the most intriguing portions of the Festival, titled As Nature, will offer a multi-sensory performance that intertwines soundscapes with visual and olfactory elements, designed to facilitate a profound state of meditation and awareness. The holistic nature of this presentation speaks volumes about the Festival’s commitment to enveloping its audience in an immersive experience.

Notably, the Festival will delve into the realms of techno with Phew and Dj Nobu, representing the intersection of contemporary club culture and avant-garde music, reaffirming music’s role as a communal ritual.

The Next Generation of Artists

Under the auspices of the Biennale College, five promising young musicians from diverse backgrounds will foster their artistic expressions through guided residencies. This initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to nurturing the next generation of sound creators, who will present their projects during the Festival’s conclusion.

A Convergence of Ideas

In the Sale d’Armi within the Arsenale, a dedicated space titled Origine will serve as a hub for deep listening and artistic exchange. The program will feature live performances, listening sessions, and discussions, with contributions from influential curators, underscoring the Festival’s aim to cultivate a rich dialogue in contemporary music.

Overall, the 70th International Festival of Contemporary Music in Venice promises an extraordinary journey through sound, connecting diverse cultures, histories, and innovative ideas, all through the lens of “child-like” wonder.