THEME 2016 'Times and Challenges'

As in previous years, all proposals on Organological matters are welcome to our congress, the main theme working as a trampoline for specific ideas that engender bounding threads along the various days of debates and exchange. Our themes are usually broad, naturally following the commitment to cover the various areas related to Organology and provoke sparkles of inventiveness and constructive thoughts in an interdisciplinary way.

This year’s theme promotes thoughts about what time brings, the novelty or the oblivion, about changes or the conservation of tradition. An example, which is particularly important in nowadays instrument construction and performance, is the issue of ‘originals’ and the differences brought by the ‘copies’. So to say, what was done “then in the past” related to what is being done “now in the present”, by using various different materials and methodologies, or by trying the utmost closest replica with the same building techniques, although historical objects are many times impossible to remake. The 'know how', which we understand from observing the preserved objects, is many times lost with the passing of the years and the missing link with a direct transmission from the Master crafters – even though we try hard to reach it with all the means now available. One question that can be addressed in most cases, by and large in all inventions: what happens that causes so many improvements in specific sound objects to be “ignored” and completely forgotten? Our congress addresses also the challenges in education (especially the problems derived from lack of awareness and due care…); tools and training; the fast-continuous-hard and software-upgrading which brings electronic apparatus obsolete after uttering the word “new” (as in a permanent running against time); the analysis of the past century of information generated with multimedia, versus other registration/archive forms; copyright issues, arguments and strategies; adaptation or novelty in performance brought by 'new' or changed instruments (in all types of music); the future of Organology...

Besides interesting discussions regarding organological issues from various areas of expertise, we are very happy to inform that there is a special focus on "Historical Flutes" this year, an iniciative under the direction of ANIMUSIC'S member Professor Michael Lynn (Oberlin Conservatory, USA). Top collectors and makers from America and Europe shall meet in Portugal and show their work, and excellent music on rare instruments will be performed.

Every year the ANIMUSIC congress is unique - a chance not to miss.