Musica in Prossimità 2026

By its twelfth edition, Musica in Prossimità returns to Pinerolo from 27 to 29 November to explore the complexity of the contemporary sound landscape and its multiple trajectories of research. Curated by Quartetto Maurice, the festival presents a rich and varied programme, ranging from the visionary vocal music of the 15th century to tributes to the great composers of the 20th century, while also turning its attention to some of the most compelling proposals emerging on the contemporary scene: from the monographic focus on the promising Brendan Champeaux, to the expressive urgency of L’Beel, and the noise experiments of Klein.

Friday 27 November, 9.00 pm – Sala Italo Tajo: with Ensemble Cairn, the festival presents a portrait of French composer Brendan Champeaux through a selection of works for different ensembles and instrumental combinations, in dialogue with Music for Piano with Amplified Sonorous Vessels by Alvin Lucier, whose research into the propagation of sound serves as a source of inspiration. Opening the concert is Byword for 12 clarinets, performed by the young ensemble in residence following a period of study and in-depth exploration of the contemporary repertoire.

Saturday 28 November, 6.00 pm – Sala Italo Tajo: the evening opens with the work of Peter Ablinger, performed by Serbian pianist Ana Ostojić, who presents some of the most significant pieces from the Piano and Voices cycle – dedicated to the speeches of figures who have shaped history – and by French percussionist Sylvain Lemêtre of Ensemble Cairn, performing the evocative Weiss / Weisslich 31e. The programme continues with Cantica Symphonia, celebrating thirty years of activity with a concert dedicated to the Motets of Guillaume Dufay.

Saturday 28 November, 9.00 pm – Sala Italo Tajo: in L’Beel’s live set, her Moroccan heritage and Arabic cultural references blend seamlessly with the urban rhythms and flamenco of the contemporary Barcelona scene. Her vocals weave through lyrics marked by love, desire, and loss, shifting effortlessly between quiet intimacy and raw intensity. What emerges is a profoundly personal voice where emotional depth and compelling rhythm coexist and interact in a sound rooted in tradition, yet tuned into the tensions of the present.

Sunday 29 November, 6.00 pm – Sala Italo Tajo: on stage, Klein creates a restless and unpredictable experience, where music, voice and gesture come together in a kaleidoscope of constantly shifting forms. The London-based artist and musician moves between hip-hop, noise and ambient music with an instinctive and oblique approach, creating physical and theatrical performances in which reality and fiction overlap. Her practice unfolds through unexpected juxtapositions, interferences and perceptual shifts, drawing on themes such as surveillance, urban cartography and identity.

In addition to concerts, Musica in Prossimità offers workshops and opportunities for discussion dedicated to musical practice and listening. Chiara Saccone and Deborah Walker lead a workshop devoted to Metodi per suonare by Giuseppe Chiari, a collection of verbal and graphic scores created by the artist between the 1960s and 1970s. The festival’s annual event dedicated to exploring extended techniques also returns this year, with a masterclass on the XAMP microtonal accordion led by Luis Perez-Magaña of Ensemble Cairn.