Invited by Daniel Barenboim and Emmanuel Pahud, ten of today’s most exciting composers have engaged artistically with the unusual juxtaposition of distance and intimacy that we all find ourselves dealing with in this time of uncertainty, common reflection, and unexplored digital possibilities. The result are ten new works that will have their online world premieres on four consecutive nights, beginning July 9, framed by works of Pierre Boulez and hosted live by Daniel Barenboim and Emmanuel Pahud from the Pierre Boulez Saal.

The festival opens with the young Pierre Boulez’s Sonatine for Flute and Piano, performed by Emmanuel Pahud and Denis Kozuhkhin. This groundbreaking work is followed by Johannes Boris Borowski’s Sphinxes for chamber ensemble and Irini Amargianaki’s Eumenides on verses by Aeschylus, with soprano Sarah Aristidou taking on the solo part.

The programs will remain available for free on-demand viewing and listening for 30 days. All musicians and composers involved have generously donated their time and work—as a call to common solidarity.