LIVE: Opening Theory [RO] - ISCM World New Music Days Festival

The Union of Composers and Musicologists from Romania (UCMR) and ISCM Romania are proud to organize again the World New Music Days Festival (Bucharest, 23-31 May), after a break of 27 years. And on Sunday, May 31, Control becomes one of their venues, welcoming jazz-rockers Opening Theory on its stage.

The festival looks forward to shining a light on the wonderful diversity of the musics of the world, as well as on the vivid Romanian new music scene. The theme pays homage to the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brâncuși. Columna Infinită – The Infinite Column – is a symbol of novelty and openness to new heights and wholeness, of eternity and rhythm, freedom and audacity.

Brâncuși’s column contains 15 octahedral cast-iron modules, with half modules at the base and top, and an opening that suggests infinite continuation toward the sky. They like to think that’s where the stream of new music begins. Turned horizontally, its shape becomes that of sound waves.

Opening Theory is a Bucharest-based trio that combines the complex rhythms of progressive rock with a nu-jazz sensibility, all wrapped up in an energetic electronic sound. Inspired by the numerous possibilities of chess openings where the band’s name comes from, the three musicians seek a balance between aggression and psychedelic sounds in their sonic explorations; angular riffs and rich harmonies.

George-Ioan Păiș is a musician who defines himself as a “rocker disguised as a composer.” He studied light music composition, then transitioned to classical composition studies at the National University of Music in Bucharest, where he recently finished his doctoral studies and currently is an assistant in the composition department, teaching seminars on musical forms and analysis. His music is characterized by a rich appetite for harmony and asymmetrical rhythms, seeking to emulate the vitality of heavy metal music in a classical, new music context.

Ștefan Stoianovici is a jazz composer and pianist. With a solid background in both fields, he is currently pursuing doctoral studies in classical composition at the National University of Music in Bucharest and is active on the local jazz scene. His works have been performed under the baton of Cristian Măcelaru and Cristian Mandeal, he has written arrangements for the Radio Romania Big Band, and he has played at renowned international jazz festivals and competitions, such as the Jazz in Church Festival (Bucharest) and the B-jazz International Contest (Ghent, Belgium).

Alex Mușat recently finished his PhD studies at the National University of Music in Bucharest. He is active as a drummer, music journalist, and radio producer. As a drummer, he has collaborated on various mainstream Romanian pop music projects, co-founded the funk-rock project The Groovy Bastards, and is a member of Awake, the only Eastern European tribute band to the American progressive rock group Dream Theater. Alex Mușat hosts the weekly shows “Weekend fără snooze” and “La chat cu Alex Mușat” on Radio Seven, with guests including collaborators of Elton John and former members of the Beatles and Queen. He also contributes monthly to the music section of Zile și Nopți magazine and has edited the anniversary magazines Sunete – Queen (2021) and Sunete – Beatles (2022).

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* Children up to 12 years old do not have access to the event.

** Children up to 16 years old need a valid ticket and must be accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.

*** Minors aged 16 to 18 years old have access with a valid ticket.

**** Serving and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden for all minors.