The Greek philosopher Pythagoras was famous for holding his lectures behind a curtain. Nothing should distract his listeners from what is revealed only to the ear. Radio does not need a curtain: listeners have always been earwitnesses through loudspeakers and headphones. As if the medium of radio had been invented to realise a profoundly musical idea, the idea of an absolute listening experience, one that is detached, absolved from everything. How will this listening experience change in the future as a result of new, immersive technologies? How do radio producers deal with the fact that many composers today are increasingly thinking intermedially and visual content is becoming part of their compositions? What challenges does absolute listening pose for musicians and authors? Will absolute listening survive the dominance of audiovisual media? The discussion ventures a look behind the Pythagorean curtain.
Introduction by Pascale Labrie
with Hervé Déjardin, Pierre Charvet, Giovanna Natalini, Sofi Jeannin
Hosted by Patrick Hahn
