Carsten Nicolai aka Alva Noto, one of the best known minds in the electronic music scene since the 1990s, composed the fourth part of his “Xerrox” series in 2020. Now the Ensemble Modern, together with Alva Noto as soloist, is realizing an instrumental version of “Xerrox Vol. 4” arranged especially for the ensemble as a commissioned work for the Frankfurt Positionen 2021. The multimedia work, which combines music with video and light installations, will be developed at the Frankfurt LAB in early April 2021. Due to the extended event ban, Ensemble Modern will stream the concert recording online as a world premiere on April 17 and 25, 2021 (both at 8:30 p.m.) as part of the Frankfurter Positionen and “TONLAGEN – Dresdner Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik.”

Based on the concept of digital replication of source material, the “Xerrox” project deals with the manipulation of data (melodies) by means of endless reproduction. A production process of copies from copies, in other words, whose sounds are altered in such a way that they can hardly be associated with the source material. This creates a sound spectrum of completely new sounds: copies of originals become originals themselves. In 2020, after “Xerrox Vol. 1” (2007), “Vol. 2” (2009) and “Vol. 3” (2015), Carsten Nicolai continued his “Xerrox” journey with “Xerrox Vol. 4”. The idea of an edited version with instrumental line-up already exists since the release of the first volume. After the great success with the work “utp_” (2007) Carsten Nicolai continues the collaboration with the Ensemble Modern in collaboration with Max Knoth.

Carsten Nicolai
(born in 1965 in Karl-Marx-Stadt) lives and works in Berlin. Inspired by scientific frames of reference, Nicolai’s interests include mathematical patterns such as grids and codes, defect and random structures as well as phenomena relating to self-organization. His engagement constantly crosses the boundaries between the different artistic genres.

Following his participation in documenta X (1997) and the 49th and 50th Biennale di Venezia (2001 and 2003), his works have been shown in national and international exhibitions at museums and galleries of renown. There have been comprehensive solo shows at the Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt am Main (anti reflex, 2005), the Neue Nationalgalerie Berlin (syn chron, 2005), CAC, Vilnius, Lithuania and the Pace Gallery New York (pionier, 2011), the Berlinische Galerie (tele, 2018), and the Kunstsammlungen Nordrhein-Westfalen/ K21 (parallax symmetry, 2019). Carsten Nicolai’s works have entered significant private and public collections. He is currently represented by Galerie EIGEN + ART Leipzig/Berlin and the Pace Gallery.

Nicolai has received numerous prizes and awards, including: Giga-Hertz-Preis (2012, with Ryoji Ikeda); Villa Massimo, Rome (2007); Zurich Art Prize (2007); Villa Aurora, Los Angeles (2003); Prix Ars Electronica (2000 and 2001, with Marko Peljhan); Grand Prize Japan Media Arts Festival (2014).

Ensemble Modern
Alva Noto (Electronics)
Simon Mayer (Video)
Matthias Rieker (Lichtdesign)
Norbert Ommer (Klangregie)