Beyond Kafala

Item details

Description +
- Duration: approx. 8 min.
  
  Preface
  
  Beyond Kafala is a threnody for the thousands of people working under inhumane conditions, in a system which could appropriately be termed modern day slavery, on the Arabian peninsula. After being invited to participate in the musical program at the German pavilion at the “World Expo 2020” in Dubai as part of the “Percussion Community Rostock”, I was doubtful of the festivals ostensible pursuits. The ethical questions surrounding the expo and our invitation demanded reflection. For centuries, feudalistic regimes have endorsed the arts to build some sort of “cultural justification” for their reign, effectively buying themselves into what can be propagated as an intellectual, elite circle.
  
  In the same vein, the UAE hosted a lavish festival of the arts under the banner of sustainability, building a small fully acclimatised city of pavilions in the desert next to Dubai, constructed by “guest workers" suffering under a system called “Kafala” (sponsorship). This system pertains to offer migrant visas in exchange for employment. Many are lured into the region hoping to escape poverty and persecution elsewhere. In order for their visas to be “sponsored” however, it is required that each worker hand over their passports and personal documents. They are then put to work in severe conditions with little pay. These labourers often have to pay high rent for poor and precarious living conditions thus falling into considerable “debt” to land lords and “sponsors.” While men are sent to construction sites, women have little choice but to work as house servants. It is estimated that at least 6,500 workers died on construction sites in preparation for the football World Cup in Qatar 2022 while the Expo offered conflicting figures on their number of worker deaths (though being significantly lower). Trapped, abused, exploited and unaccounted for; for many there is no way out.
  
  “Beyond Kafala” was conceived to be a clash of cultures. I wanted to contrast the inhumane reality with the rich, deeply human sounds of some of the migrants’ folk music. Strictly constructed serial music is juxtaposed with elements of music hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Running throughout/ beneath this dissonance is an abstraction of a hymn well known across the Arabian peninsula. Each layer is a nod to the conflicting truths of home, tradition, and culture and that of an aggressive, unceasing regime. We would have liked to present this piece as part of a political programme at the Expo in January 2022. The trip however was eventually cancelled due to the second outbreak of Covid-19.
Instrumentation +
- Percussion Trio
  
  Concert Marimba
  Bass Drum
  Stand Tom
  Tom Tom
  2 Anvils (high/low)
  3 Chinese Gongs (high/medium/low)
  3 Soundbowls (high/medium/low)
  Tambourine
  Splash Cymbal
  China Cymbal
Watch+
- Beyond Kafala by Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz
  Performed by Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz, Finn Hennes and Tigran Mirzoian
About the composer +
- Maximilian Wolfgang Schwarz (*1997 in Vienna) is one of the most versatile percussionists of his generation. The multi-award-winning multi-percussionist and drummer has been performing on major international stages for many years, either as a soloist or as a guest with renowned ensembles such as Elbtonal Percussion or the CBPercussion Group at spectacular festivals and projects. In addition to selected works of contemporary classical music, his constantly growing solo repertoire primarily includes his own compositions. Max Schwarz cultivates a hybrid compositional style consisting of classical compositional approaches from different eras and cultures, his own serial concepts and electronic production. His avant-garde pieces are published by Edition Svitzer (Copenhagen); he also regularly produces for television, film and theatre.
  
  As part of the jury of the ‘Stellar Composition Competition’ (2nd prize for Constellations I), percussion luminary Dame Evelyn Glennie praised the piece with the following words: ‘It's the best piece I have ever come across that explores sound effects on the marimba in a really musical way. It is the essence of the piece rather than an ‘addition’. Maximilian is absolutely superb and the video work is really well done.’
  
  As a drummer, he fuses driving grooves, elements from world music and complex polyrhythms with live electronics. With this characteristic style, he is part of the world music/electronica trio maTrigal. Max Schwarz is currently studying classical percussion with Prof. Alexej Gerassimez at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich in the postgraduate programme ‘Excellence in Performance’. In 2023/2024 he toured Germany, Austria, Italy, France and Spain.
Credits +
- Front Cover graphics and layout: Renate Lutter
  Photo: Reiner Nicklas
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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