The ‘Chartres’ composition' by Paul Giger

Pro Helvetia - the Swiss Arts Council presents a solo violin concert by Swiss musician and composer, Paul Giger in Chennai, Kolkata and Delhi. [dated November 2008]

“Music is an earthly reflection of spiritual worlds and realities.” - Paul Giger

Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council presents a solo violin concert by Swiss musician and composer Paul Giger. The Chartres composition is a fascinating musical pilgrimage inspired by the secrets and magic of the Cathedral of Chartres.

Chennai: Wednesday 12 November 2008 At The Ballroom, Taj Connemara Time: 7:00 pm In partnership with The Hindu Music Festival

Kolkata: Friday 14 November 2008 At Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata Time: 6:30 pm In partnership with Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata and Spic Macay

Delhi: Wednesday 19 November 2008 At The Cathedral Church of the Redemption Time: 6:30 pm In partnership with The Cathedral Church of the Redemption, Delhi Music Society and Spic Macay

The 'Chartres' composition
Paul Giger’s fascinating musical pilgrimage has been inspired by the secrets and the magic of the Cathedral of Chartres where his work was the outcome of an intensive dialogue. The famous gothic Cathedral of Chartres in France stands as a symbol of the “spiritual development” of the human being. In seven stages the composition describes the pilgrim’s path through the Cathedral: from the crypt through the labyrinth and the crossing into the sanctum sanctorum.

This physical path, trodden by the faithful for centuries, symbolises the inner, spiritual transition from the earthbound individual to fulfilled spirituality. The musical material emerges from a diversity of traditions ranging from classical to jazz, from European to Asian sounds. Improvised passages alternate with composed passages. Virtuosity contrasted with the meditative immersion into the “key note” of the sanctuary.

The Chartres programme
Paul Giger tries to follow - in a spatial context - the “choreography” of the different movements together with the places in which they are played, as they exist in the Cathedral of Chartres: three parts in the crypt and three in the upper church, followed by silence.

Paul Giger – musician and composer
After finishing school in Switzerland Giger travelled to India. In India the vision of his life as a musician brought the decision of studying classical western music (under Professor Peter Mezger and Ulrich Lehmann) in which he graduated with degrees in teaching and as a soloist for the violin. From 1980 to 1983 Giger was concertmaster of the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra. He has freelanced as a soloist since 1983 and has collaborated on projects with numerous musicians. Giger has released six CDs under the Munich ECM label. His repertoire of violin literature ranges from baroque to contemporary music and improvisation. Besides composing for the violin and violino d`amore, Paul Giger also composes choral, orchestral and chamber music.

For more information on Paul Giger visit: www.paul-giger.ch