Thomas Pfaffinger and Simon Höfele blur the lines between sound, performance, and space in this“Carte Blanche,” creating a multisensory experience.

 

This concert performance for trumpet and electronics explores the complex relationship between artist and audience while questioning the nature of self-reflection within the context of performing arts. Pfaffinger’s compositional work unfolds in a compelling dialogue between sound and silence, intimacy and distance. The solo part, performed by internationally acclaimed trumpeter Simon Höfele, becomes the voice of the self – at times whispering delicately, at others boldly proclaiming.

Electronic soundscapes surround this acoustic self, distorting it, expanding it, and creating a fascinating tension between human expression and technological manipulation.

 

The concert performance transcends the boundaries of traditional musical presentation. Choreographic elements merge seamlessly with the auditory dimension, transforming the musician from a mere sound producer into a holistic medium of artistic expression. In this synthesis of movement and music, the central question of the work emerges: How is the role of the artist defined within the tension between intimate self-expression and public perception?

 

The immersive experience is completed by scenography developed by Sina Neumann. Light, sculptural objects, and spatial design merge into a visual score that translates the thematic essence of self-reflection into an almost tangible dimension.

 

At the heart of this Carte Blanche lies the attempt to capture the many reflections of how we perceive reality. The musical-dramaturgical structure of the piece is itself a mirror: a story is told in different ways, with each iteration revealing new facets and opening up different perspectives. This narrative complexity invites the audience to explore the intricacy of human experience and the subjectivity of perception. Through this mirrored structure, not only the music but also the reflection on what is heard and experienced becomes an integral part of the work.