Ensemble Modern Premieres Márton Illés’ New Work ›von mund zu mund‹ in Berlin
Berlin, September 14, 2026 – The Ensemble Modern is set to premiere Márton Illés’ new work, ›von mund zu mund‹ (from mouth to mouth), on September 18, 2026, at 7 PM. The performance will take place in the Kammermusiksaal of the Philharmonie Berlin, as a highlight of Musikfest Berlin. This innovative piece for voices, ensemble, and live electronics delves into the fundamental physical and acoustic aspects of human language.
Exploring the Origins of Language
In ›von mund zu mund‹, Márton Illés, in collaboration with poet Felix Reinhuber, investigates how language originates. The work questions the transition from a breath to a sound, from a sound to a syllable, and ultimately from a noise to meaning. Illés and Reinhuber focus on the elementary processes underlying speech, examining both its physicality and its sonic possibilities.
Felix Reinhuber explains the conceptual shift: “We decided to focus more on language evolution, also because I realized how much physicality is involved. The entire human anatomy is the prerequisite for us to be able to speak at all.” This intricate connection between body, voice, and sound is central to the work’s spatial design.
Immersive Sound Experience in the Philharmonie
Márton Illés detailed the immersive auditory experience: “There will be surround sound. The voices will be distributed throughout the entire hall of the Philharmonie, and the ensemble will also have localized speakers. This means we will have full spatial sounds, but also individual localized sounds, to represent specific articulations. The listeners will practically be in the middle of the action.”
The work was commissioned by Ensemble Modern, Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart, SWR Experimentalstudio, and Berliner Festspiele / Musikfest Berlin, with support from the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung. The world premiere on September 18, 2026, will feature the work conducted by Michael Wendeberg, presented alongside two pieces by Clara Iannotta.
Further Performances and Collaborations
Following its Berlin debut, ›von mund zu mund‹ will have additional performances. These include a showing on February 4, 2027, as part of the Festival ECLAT in Stuttgart, and another on February 10, 2027, at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.
This premiere marks a significant event in contemporary music, bringing together leading ensembles and institutions to explore profound questions about human communication through an innovative sonic landscape.
