Mathis Der Maler – Philippe Baylaucq

Filmmaker
Space maker

Mathis der Maler (Hindemith),

1998

Multi-screen large format live presentation

A large format multi-image exploration of the Issenheim Altarpiece,
Matthias Grünewald's landmark work (1516) and the inspiration for Paul Hindemith's Mathis der Maler Symphony (1934).

Large-format transparencies reveal the surprising details of this astonishingly modern masterpiece of the Northern High Renaissance. The richness and complexity of the altarpiece is echoed in the layers and orchestral figures of the symphony.

The challenge was to place the large format reproduction of the work, explored with motion, at the heart of the orchestra. The performance (and the score!) had to be followed live in order to manually activate the array of 35mm slide projectors and synchronize them to the exact cadence of the musician’s interpretation.

Multi-screen 35mm slideshow presented live with the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal.
31 minutes, 15 sec.

Artistic subject

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Mathis der Maler (Hindemith),

1998

Writer Director

Produced by Passerelle Production and the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal.

Michel Tousignant, Le Devoir 18 mars, 1998.

"[...] The combination of image and sound was frighteningly effective, combining with (an) artistically calculated intelligence (a) sombre atmosphere of crucifixion and burial, (a) vision of saints with prophetic passages, not forgetting the beautiful 'mise en situation' of the glorious Body... The list is too long and there will be much more to say about this astonishing and magnificent experience under the aegis of Joseph Rescigno and Philippe Baylaucq."