TONHALLE
A musical-theatrical self-assertion
Composition commissioned by the City of Munich for the Munich Biennale
A coproduction of the Munich Biennale with the Festival Rümlingen and the KlangKunstBühne of the Berlin University of the Arts
With the support of Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Culture Foundation
Composition and direction: Ruedi Häusermann; architecture: Giuseppe Reichmuth; costume: Sabine Hilscher; dramaturge: Judith Gerstenberg; sound design: Gabriel Dernbach, Simon Hertling, Jesko Stüve, Shintaro Sugiura (Studierende der UdK)
With: Thomas Douglas (Schauspieler) and the Henosode-Quartett: Sarah Hubrich (Violine), Josa Gerhard (Viola), Benedikt Bindewald (Viola), Christoph Hampe (Violoncello)
In the middle of the hustle and bustle, in the center of the city, the Henosode-Quartett has constructed its own sound hall. 2.75 meters x 5.25 meters x 2.0 meters - no larger, no smaller. The space is limited. But the musicians don't want to hold out any longer in the marginal space that connoisseurs appreciate. They have plucked up their courage under the direction of a middle-aged man with the worldly name Thomas Douglas and surrender their world of sound to raw reality, with all of the consequences. He teaches them to not let any adversity go by unused, to convert every disruption from the uncontrollable outside world into a strength and transform it into their own musical expression. In the end the small group of listeners will leave the little building in an unsuspected serene condition of ambiguity, redeemed from appropriateness, well-fortified against the unforeseen.
Ruedi Häusermann composition and direction
The composer and director Ruedi Häusermann was born in 1948 in Lenzburg, Switzerland. He studied economic sciences and music. From early on he was interested in jazz and free improvisation. Häusermann has directed productions at, among others, Volksbühne Berlin; Theater Basel; Theater Neumarkt in Zurich; Schauspielhaus Zürich; Burgtheater Wien; Munich Opera Festival; and Festspiele Zürich. Over the years Häusermann has developed his own music theater language, for which he has received several awards, most recently the Art Award of the City of Zurich (2011). In his evening performances, which are preceded by long phases of composition and exploration of themes, he examines the potentiality of theater and music mutually opening up new realms. During this he focuses his attention on detail, and a poetic, ambiguous microcosm is created.
Giuseppe Reichmuth architecture
Sabine Hilscher costumes
Judith Gerstenberg dramaturge
Gabriel Dernbach sound design
Simon Hertling sound design
Jesko Stüve sound design
Shintaro Sugiura sound design
Cast & credits
Composition and direction: Ruedi Häusermann
architecture: Giuseppe Reichmuth
costume: Sabine Hilscher
dramaturge: Judith Gerstenberg
sound design: Gabriel Dernbach, Simon Hertling, Jesko Stüve, Shintaro Sugiura (Studierende der UdK)
With: Thomas Douglas (Schauspieler) and the Henosode-Quartett: Sarah Hubrich (Violine), Josa Gerhard (Viola), Benedikt Bindewald (Viola), Christoph Hampe (Violoncello)