Juraj Kojs in performance

Juraj Kojs is an award winning composer and performer from Slovakia who specializes on creating and performing experimental interactive music with traditional instruments, folk instruments from Slovakia, everyday objects and computer. Kojs has performed at festivals and conferences in Europe, the US and Latin America. In summer 2008, Quiet Music festival in Cork, Ireland will feature the following program of Kojs' music.

At and Across (2007) for Slovak sheep bells and cyberbells was composed with cyberinstruments created with physical modeling synthesis.

At and Across contextualizes an ancient instrument in the domain of cutting edge technology. Cyberbell structures extend the parameters of the physical bells beyond the limitations of the physical world. The composition features virtual structures such as "air bells", plucked bells and "belled" bells among others.

Duration: 12'10"

Neither Stirred Nor Shaken (2007) for cocktail glasses, shakers, blenders and electronics is a fun piece inspired by research which proposes that shaken as opposed to stirred martini contributed to James Bond's health.

In a preparation of a perfect martini drink, this composition explores musical potential of shaking, stirring and blending actions. The physical actions control virtual bowed singing glasses, shakers and rattles via various sensor technologies.

Version for 1 performer.

Duration: 6'

All Forgotten (2006) for piano and electronics belongs to a series of pieces inspired by poetry of St. John of Cross. The compositions explore instrumental sonorities that lie on the border of hearing.

Haunting sounds of bowed piano strings are combined with maniacally percussive virtual marimbas. While straining both physical and virtual instruments, All Forgotten releases suppressed beauty hidden in the tensed strings and dense bars.

Duration: 8'40"

Air (2006) for fujara and electronic is a composition scored for the physical and virtual fujaras. The composition presents a communication between the ancient Slovak bass pipe instrument similar to that of Australian didgeridoo and its digitally modeled replica.

The cyberfujara extends the properties of the physical instrument and enriches it with impossible performance actions such as circular breathing and registral explosion.

Duration: 7'40"

Garden of the Dragon (2003-8) for amplified cellophane, plastic corrugated tubes and electronics presents a dialogue between physical and virtual daily objects.

The performer molds a sculpture out of cellophane which emanates granular excitations for the choir of cybertubes. The cybertubes smoothly expand and contract in real-time. Garden of the Dragon shows musical expressiveness hidden in ordinary objects with dramatic theatricality.

Version for 1 performer.

Duration: 9'