Klangforum Wien, Symposion - An Intoxication in Eight Divisions

Slowly and gracefully the ancients in antiquity got drunk. The basic idea of the Symposia was that wine, a gift of the gods, would grant human beings access to the numinous, even to the gods themselves, and to truth – if consumed in the right manner. 

Klangforum Wien followed in the footsteps of the Athenian wise men of the 6th century B.C. for the first time in May 2001. The experience with this ancient social practice has continued to work beautifully ever since. A well-tempered atmosphere is the basis for a shared and intense aural offering throughout this eight-hour concert. So far no guest has left before the end!  Music of our times, perceived in the slowly changing conditions of collective, relaxed inebriation... Pillows, futons and comfortable seats create an installation that is willingly inhabited by the audiences. During the long intervals they are wined and dined.

With works by Pierre Boulez, John Cage, Cesar Camarero, Morton Feldman, Beat Furrer, Bernhard Gander, Georg Friedrich Haas, Gustav Mahler, Olga Neuwirth, Terry Riley, Giacinto Scelsi, Salvatore Sciarrino, Iannis Xenakis, among others.