MEDIATHEK

“IYOV” – opera-requiem for prepared piano, cello, drums and voices
 
 Music by Roman Grygoriv, Illia Razumeiko
 Directed by Vlad Troitsky
 
 Job (Iyov in Hebrew) is the central character of the Book of Job in the Bible. This is a story of his life, pride and disbelief, the search for life’s meaning and death, hope and regret.
 
 The center of musical scenography is the prepared piano, that turns into a real orchestra. The pianist and singers use a wide range of percussion instruments such as snare drum, triangle, ride cymbal. They use coins, keys, fingers and nails for playing on the strings and the body of the grand piano. The instrument sounds like a harpsichord, drums and occasionally as a synthesizer or electronic sounds generator.
 Music of “IYOV” combines minimalism and the avant-garde, neoclassicism and rock. Polyphonic choral episodes and instrumental interludes alternate with the parts that use a full range of the human voice: from classical, jazz and folk singing to breathing, screaming, whispering and overtone singing.
 
 The dramaturgy of music performance is based on the сontrast compilation of recitatives (based on the Book of Job) and parts of Requiem – Catholic Mass, which refers to traditional Latin texts.
 
 Opera-requiem “IYOV” is a synthesis of ancient Greek drama, baroque opera, oratorio, Requiem, and the techniques of postmodern theater. It is the mystery of the birth of a new sound inside the piano and the demonstration of endless possibilities of the human voice.