Commission to Pascale Criton

Ghost Ensemble has commissioned composer Pascale Criton to write a new, 20-minute work for its core octet. The instrumentation includes flute, oboe, percussion, harp, strings, and a specialized quarter-tone accordion. The project marks the first time this specific accordion will be featured in a commission for the ensemble, highlighting their focus on precise intonation and microtonal exploration.

Criton’s composition investigates minute microtonal variations and acoustic phenomena such as beating frequencies and phase interferences. The work is being developed through a series of intensive workshops between 2026 and 2027, allowing for a close collaborative exchange between the composer and the musicians. This approach ensures that the technical nuances of the ensemble’s specialized skillset are fully integrated into the musical structure.

The commission to Pascale Criton is supported by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

Further information:
ghostensemble.org

Dates

May 21, 2028 (World Premiere)
Roulette Intermedium, New York

May 26, 2028
The Lab, San Francisco

May 28, 2028
Oracle Egg, L.A.