The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will give the American Premiere of ‘Cyborg’ by Spanish composer Ferran Cruixent (*1976) next month, a rare performance of a piece written in 2010 and premiered that same year by ‘Staatskapelle Weimar’. Apparently it has not been performed since then. ‘Cyborg’ is meant to explore the idea that in the age of computers, cell phones and technological medical equipment, the human race has evolved into a sort of rudimentary cybernetic organism. The musicians mirror this sentiment onstage by expanding the technical capabilities of the orchestra with unusual techniques such as inhaling or speaking through their instruments and at times using their own cell phones in performing the piece.
The American Premiere of Cyborg will be led by DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin, paired with Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 featuring soprano Ilana Davidson and Sibelius’ Violin Concerto starring French violinist Alexandra Soumm. Performances will take place on Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, November 8 at 8 p.m.
