Collective lovemusic
lovemusic is a collective of musicians specialised in new music based in Strasbourg, France. Working with composers on new and exciting works that will enrich the musical world is at the heart of their mission. This involves collaborating with artists who wish to create new music together, with both the composer and musicians actively involved in the creative process. They aim to dismantle the patriarchal and hierarchical systems ingrained in the new music world, creating a safe and inclusive environment in which musicians can make individual decisions regarding how they contribute to each project, the music they want to perform, and the composers they wish to work with.
The members of lovemusic have diverse backgrounds and tastes, which nourish the choices of the music they perform. They embrace the multiplicity of aesthetics that new music today offers, and their programmes are the result of extensive research that allows them to programme creatively, bringing new voices to new audiences. Diversity is important, and they strive to programme music that takes into consideration ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity.
The way they present music on stage is always carefully considered. They perform without a conductor, which not only creates intimate bonds between the musicians, but also facilitates an active and exciting connection with the audience. They enjoy working with lighting, video, and scenography, creating an immersive listening experience for the listener. lovemusic concerts are colourful, innovative and fun, drawing the public into their diverse musical world.
lovemusic was founded in 2018 by Adam Starkie and Emiliano Gavito in Strasbourg, a new music hub in the heart of Europe. The collective takes its name from the eponymous work by Betsy Jolas, which was the starting point of their musical collaboration. They began by creating a new music concert series at the Bibliothèque nationale et universitaire de Strasbourg, which became the epicentre of experimentation for the collective, inviting composers and musicians to create new music presented in various formats. The lovemusic family and its repertoire grew, its European identity reinforced by the diversity of its members. Over the following six years, the collective built a network of artistic relationships in Strasbourg, France, and far beyond.
From the beginning, commissioning new works and building a repertoire personal to the aesthetic identity of the collective has been a priority. Over the past six years, the collective has commissioned over 50 new works, including pieces by Michelle Agnes Magalhaes, Philip Venables, Kelley Sheehan, Helmut Oehring, Erin Gee, Santiago Díez Fischer, Malin Bång, Sasha Blondeau, Michele Abondano and David Bird.
lovemusic is, above all, an ensemble that drives us to fully realise an artistic project. It consists of virtuosos of their instruments who also have a reflective and highly aware stance regarding the aesthetic challenges in today's music. This direction gives composers the confidence to explore their limits and take risks. The listener is assured of encountering a completely new approach that shifts their points of reference.
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Along with actively participating in the new music community in Strasbourg, the collective has performed at festivals and venues such as Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik, CHIMEfest (Chicago), Gaudeamus (Utrecht), Festival DME (Lisbon), Musica Festival (Strasbourg), Sound Festival (Aberdeen), Music Current (Dublin), Klangwerkstatt (Berlin), Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Festival Niente Forte (New Orleans), Donaueschinger Musiktage, Arsenal (Metz), Constellation (Chicago), Lieu Unique (Nantes), and Festival d’Automne à Paris. They have also been invited for residencies at Grrranit (Belfort), GRAME (Lyon), and Césaré (Reims).
Being a member of the collective lovemusic is an incredible adventure for me. Every rehearsal, meeting, project, and concert feels like getting together with friends and family. We come together to do what we love: working as a team, creating, experimenting, laughing, sharing, and learning. This journey has been full of unforgettable moments that always inspire and make us better.
Discipline, personal responsibility, solidarity, trust and joy of life: these are the essential characteristics of lovemusic for me. We love music and believe in its power, through which we can do a lot for ourselves and for the world. It is so wonderful that we have found each other. How different we are, how different our backgrounds are, this is proof to me of what Europe means.
lovemusic is heavily invested in encouraging the next generation of composers. Through workshops and masterclasses at Harvard University (HGNM), the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Strasbourg Conservatoire/HEAR, Reims Conservatoire, Brandeis University, Chicago University, Leeds University and Durham University (among others), they have not only premiered over 70 works but have also created connections, sharing experiences with the next generation of creative minds.
In 2023, lovemusic released their debut album, plastic love, on the NEOS label. The album is dedicated to their long-term collaboration with Santiago Díez Fischer, with whom they have been working since the collective was founded. The works on the album are punctuated by interludes co-penned by lovemusic and Santiago.
Looking ahead, the collective plans to deepen their connection with their artistic collaborators by commissioning several long-form works to create unified artistic objects developed by the composers and lovemusic. For some of these projects, the collective will invite the composers to also perform alongside them on stage, creating a strong artistic connection with Bára Gísladóttir, Ann Cleare, Laura Bowler, Ted Hearne, and Molly Joyce.
Emiliano Gavito – flute + artistic advisor
Niamh Dell – oboe
Adam Starkie – clarinet + artistic direction
Emily Yabe – violin
Léa Legros Pontal – viola
Sophie Wahlmüller – viola
Céline Papion – cello
Lola Malique – cello
Christian Lozano Sedano – Guitar
Nejc Grm – accordion
Rémi Schwartz – percussion
Grace Durham – voice
Nina Maghsoodloo – piano
Finbar Hosie – electronics + production
Célia Levasseur – administration
