Carte Blanche
Marina Mello
Abrupto
ExperimentalElectronic JazzExperimental Jazz
Carte Blanche: Marina Mello
Marina Mello has been given carte blanche for the 26/27 season. In this interview, she reveals who she is, how she describes her work, and what you can expect from her evenings.
I am Marina Mello, a Brazilian musician, composer, and harpist, and I have been living in Zurich for almost ten years. As a child, I began playing the harp at the Escola de Música de Brasília, where I grew up. The harp wasn’t my first choice, though. I actually wanted to learn to play the drums, saxophone, or double bass, but there were only spots on the waiting list for those instruments. Since I was already very impatient back then, I asked which instrument class still had an open spot. The answer was: the harp. And so, 23 years later, I’m still playing the harp.How would you describe your artistic work? What themes, questions, or soundscapes are you particularly interested in right now?
I have studied classical music my entire life, first in Brasília and São Paulo, and later in Zurich, where I earned a master’s degree in music education and performance from the ZHdK. I’ve played extensively in orchestras, have also performed as a soloist, and still play classical music today, though not as often as I used to. My profession is very important to me. That’s why what I do artistically has to make sense to me. Over time, however, I’ve realized that the world of classical music resonates less and less with my own questions and interests. I’m drawn to taking on challenges and pushing boundaries. This mindset also shapes my artistic work: How can one make music that still operates within existing structures while simultaneously questioning them? How does one remain true to a profession and an artistic practice while still bringing one’s own distinct voice to it?What fascinates you about your instrument or your artistic medium? What makes it unique to you?
The harp is a fascinating instrument because it combines so many different elements: three different types of strings, a complex mechanism made of metal and wood, and a total of 47 strings. Added to this are the many different types of harps, such as the Celtic, Baroque, and Gothic harps.The possibilities of playing the harp are nearly endless, and there’s always something new to discover. What I find even more exciting, however, is the search for the unknown, the free expression of creativity, and the willingness to take risks on my artistic journey. I’m also interested in challenging expectations and stereotypes. This applies not only to ideas about what a harpist is supposed to be, but to stereotypical images in general. Often, things just aren’t the way we imagine them to be. Why don’t we let ourselves be surprised more often?You're curating a "Carte Blanche" series: What can the audience expect on these evenings? What was the thinking behind the program?
Das Publikum darf sich überraschen lassen! Der erste Abend am 8. Oktober ist das Ergebnis von zwei intensiven Probentagen mit Abrupto, bestehend aus Maria Portugal, Mauricio Takara, Carla Boregas und mir. Das Publikum darf sich auf viel Schlagzeug, Perkussion, Elektronik und Harfe freuen. Die Kompositionen befinden sich bereits in Vorbereitung, und ich freue mich sehr auf dieses neue Quartett.
Danach folgt ein wunderbares Festival, das von Luca Koch konzipiert und von uns gemeinsam kuratiert wurde: das Worldbuzzpoem Festival. Es verbindet Spoken Word und improvisierte Musik und bringt grossartige Künstler*innen zusammen. To conclude my Carte Blanche, I’ll be presenting a program at Moods on December 10 that is likely the first ever to be entirely dedicated to the harp. Rhodri Davies and I will each perform a solo set and close out the evening with a joint improvisation.
The idea behind my Carte Blanche is to discover new combinations and bring together musicians who have never played together in this configuration before.What message would you like to share with the audience for these evenings?
I hope the audience will come with enthusiasm, curiosity, and an open mind to hear something new—something that’s new both to me and to all the musicians involved!
Marina Mello's Carte Blanche at Moods
Carte Blanche
Luca Pilu Koch & Marina Mello: worldbuzzpoems II
Berther / Mello / Sartorius / Koch
ExperimentalJazzElectronic Jazz
Carte Blanche
Luca Pilu Koch & Marina Mello: worldbuzzpoems I
Mayas / Mello / Voutchkova / Koch
ExperimentalJazzExperimental Jazz
Carte Blanche
Luca Pilu Koch & Marina Mello: worldbuzzpoems II
Sartorius / Koch
ExperimentalElectronic Jazz
Carte Blanche
Luca Pilu Koch & Marina Mello: worldbuzzpoems I
Mello / Koch
ExperimentalJazzExperimental Jazz
Carte Blanche
Marina Mello
Rhodri Davies
ExperimentalExperimental Jazz
Carte Blanche
Marina Mello
Marina Mello
JazzExperimentalExperimental JazzContemporary Jazz
