Korzo Zaal
Concert in the Dark- Joe Puglia
| Duration | 60 min |
A solo violin during Earth Hour
Earth Hour: around the world, people turn off their lights for one hour to remind each other that we need to take care of our planet. But what effect does that darkness have on our listening experience?
During Concert in the Dark, the lights in Korzo are switched off while violinist Joe Puglia, head of violin studies at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, performs a solo violin recital entirely from memory.
The program features seven solo works, ranging from Bach to contemporary composers. A single sustained note runs through all the pieces, around which the melodies evolve, revealing how stability and change continually exist side by side. The final piece is inspired by sunrise: slowly, light begins to appear: a new beginning.
This is more than a concert; it is a musical reflection on life. In a constantly changing world, core values, essentials, and human connections remain the foundation we return to again and again. You are invited to fully connect with the music and the moment. Together we listen to the same sound as an exercise in attention, connection, and reflection.
This recurring program at Korzo aligns with the spirit of Earth Hour: listening to the world, pausing for a moment, and giving attention to what truly matters.
• J.S. Bach - Prelude from Partita No. 3 in E Major
• H.F. von Biber - Passacaglia
• Luciano Berio - Sequenza VIII
• Helena Winkelman - Ciaccona
• James Tenney - Koan
• Andrew Norman - Sabina: a musical portrait of his experience at the Church of Santa Sabina in Rome while watching the sunrise during Mass
Violinist Joseph Puglia is known for his “breathtaking” performances and the “unforgettable, magical moments” he creates in concert. According to a Volkskrant review: “On your way home, you notice your ears are truly opened – even the familiar sounds of the city are different.” He has performed solo and in chamber ensembles at venues such as the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York, the Library of Congress in Washington DC, the Southbank Centre in London, Salle Pleyel in Paris, and the Melbourne International Arts Festival in Australia.
He is currently working on Voices of the Violin, a project that explores how a violin’s unique character influences the way we experience music. During the project, composers collaborate directly with the audience, which resulted in a series of fresh works that premiered in 2023. Puglia also examines how active audience engagement can deepen the musical experience, drawing inspiration from the works of Pauline Oliveros, among others.
Korzo Zaal