In 'Caresant l'Horizon', Hèctor Para attempts ‘to imagine what we would physically experience if the unimaginably intense gravitational waves which arise when two black holes collide actually penetrated us'. Moins qu'un souffle for solo flute and ensemble, is directly inspired by Marie NDiaye's novel (the first by a black woman ever to win the coveted Prix Goncourt) Three Strong Women - with the character of Khady Demba embodying the flute in this musical story.‘Rich, complex timbres abound, not infrequently augmented by extended playing techniques and incorporating noise textures…This large ensemble piece is sonorously dramatic, and will likely appeal to admirers of Xenakis, though Parra’s textures are typically more open and inticate, perhaps closer to Varèse.’
Leading composers and performers from Catalunya feature prominently at this year’s Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music (Friday, November 15 – Sunday, November 24), including composer Hèctor Parra - Composer in Residence at this year's festival - , pianist Agustí Fernández and Barcelona-based new music ensemble BCN 216. Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music (hcmf//), one of Europe’s leading contemporary music festivals, recently announced a two-year partnership agreement with Catalunya to bring composers and musicians to Huddersfield for the 2013 and 2014 festivals. The programme is made possible with the collaboration and support of the Institut Ramon Llull.