The Vienna Improvisers Orchestra creates its Instant Compositions exclusively and absolutely ad hoc with the consistent praxis of Instant Composition Conducting, which has been developed by VIO’s art. dir. and conductor Michael Fischer over the last two decades, based on Butch Morris’ method Conduction.
The parameters for Instant Composition Conducting are:
1. absolute ad hoc creation – on the part of the ensemble as well as the conductor, no prepared or agreed modules/designs,
2. no rehearsals, only a short try-out of the hand-signs (for basics like dynamics, pitch, go, stop, solo, remember, loop) before the concert starts,
3. the ensemble consists usually of a string section on one third,
4. the musicians are staged by instrumental groups,
5. the ca. 20 hand-signs are used sparingly,
6. the instant compositions unfold narrative textures,
7. create space for 35 – 50 minutes,
8. each concert features a new ensemble constellation and usually involves at least one new musician.
Founded by Michael Fischer in 2004, the VIO has performed at the Moers-Festival, Wien Modern, the Porgy&Bess, central venues of the visual arts a.m.o.. The VIO is one of the earliest and continuously working improvisation orchestras worldwide. – A recording of the VIO’s concert at the Moers Festival 2022 will be released on Vinyl in spring 2025!
Concert: March 7th 2025, Westbahnstudios, 1150 Wien
© Markus Gradwohl
