Ritual IV | Sacrum Profanum

Hildegard from Bingen meets Pauline Oliveros, and the little bagpipes from Auvergne set off to climb without a definite end. The Fourth Ritual does not reconstruct tradition — it allows it to move towards new horizons of music.

About the event

Clara Lévy will begin with selected parts of 13 Visions, a series that is an imaginary meeting of two female composers separated by eight centuries. Its structure is defined by Pauline Oliveros's Thirteen Changes — thirteen poetic instructions inspired by earthly and cosmic phenomena. With each of them, Lévy combines one song by Hildegard of Bingen, a famous medieval mystic and composer. The modern artist does not quote the ancient antiphon. The melody remains hidden in the heights of the sounds, and the violin and voice bring out its trace. The score sets the timbres and material, leaving the performer to decide on the dynamics and duration. Each vision can therefore be arranged a little differently during the concert.

After the intervention of Jakub Ziółkowski, the visions will turn to climbing. Cabrette are small bagpipes associated with the dance music of mountainous Auvergne and other regions of central France. Jacques Puech asked Guilhem Lacroux to write a piece that would take this instrument to previously unrecognized territory. In Gravir, electronics superimpose successive cabrette voices, moving upwards at different rates. The illusion of incessant ascent is created: the music climbs for half an hour, but never reaches the top. One traditional instrument transforms into a dense, pulsating and increasingly penetrating mass of sound.

It is also one of the purest examples of the method of La Nòvia, the collective in residence at this year's festival. The experiment is not added to tradition from the outside, but grows out of the bourdon, the timbre and the physical properties of the instrument. First, a medieval song will appear as a trace, then the cabrette will free itself from the old melody and begin an impossible climb. The past does not provide the finished music here, but the principles that allow us to imagine its continuation.

More information and details about the concert can be found on the Sacrum Profanum Festival 2026 website.

English version: To read the descriptions and find out more in English, please visit the Sacrum Profanum website

Concert Band Ritual

Ritual is the main band of concerts of this year's edition. Every day we bring together artists presenting their own version of the Ritual. They will reach into forgotten cultures and fading traditions, create fantastic ethnographies and contemporary forms that can put audiences in a trance. We will hear music from different parts of the world — from reconstructions of Wielkopolska folk, through Algonkin songs and Indian ragas, to a Japanese performance and a contemporary instrument derived from the ancient Greek aulos.

The ritual begins with crossing the threshold. Enter Si On and Jakub Ziółkowski's installation — a world of painted fabrics and humanoid figures, reminiscent of a ritual tent. It is a space dedicated to the hallowed time of the festival. It is also a sphere untangled between art and rite, in which the audience will sit around the central stage. Each day, two performances will be combined by the musical-ritual intervention of Ziółkowski, who will act as master of ceremonies for the duration of the concerts. Artists and music will change, but all parts of the Ritual will maintain the same uninterrupted course.

Artists

Clara Lévy (based on Hildegard from Bingen and Pauline Oliveros) — selection from 13 Visions (2022) 30' (Polish premiere)

Clara Lévy — violin, voice

Jakub Ziółkowski — ritual intervention 10'

Guilhem Lacroux — Gravir (2023) 30' (Polish premiere)

Jacques Puech — cabrette (small bagpipes), live electronics

https://discreeteditions.bandcamp.com/album/13-visions

https://la-novia.bandcamp.com/album/gravir-canon

Organized by: KBF

The concert is co-organised by Cricoteka.

Concert under the patronage of the French Institute in Poland.

Accessibility

The event will last about 70 minutes and will take place without interruption. Two thirty-minute performances will be joined by the intervention of Jakub Ziółkowski.

Clara Lévy will play the violin and sing. The music is based on long sounds, burdons, instrument preparations and variable dynamics, including also very quiet passages. Jacques Puech's gravir uses small bagpipes and live electronics. Repeated and superimposed sounds can create an intense, penetrating sound with an almost uninterrupted course.

The audience will sit around the central stage on cushions, poufs and carpet. Several chairs will also be available.

It is possible to leave the room during the event, but there will be no possibility to return.

The nearest public transport stops are: Korona (tram and bus) and Ghetto Heroes Square (tram). Cricoteka does not have a car park for guests. Two parking spaces for people with disabilities are located on Nadwiślańska Street, near the entrance from the side of the Bernatka footbridge, but a high curb may be a difficulty when getting off. Upon prior notification of such a need, we can allocate a temporary parking space in the square.

The most convenient entrance to the building is through Cricoteki Square. After passing through the glass door, head to the elevator or staircase. The ticket office is located at level -1. Go to it if you do not have a ticket to the event or need additional information/assistance.

If you need more information or would like assistance, PJM translation, audio description, or have any other needs that we should know about so that you can feel comfortable, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator:

Anna Rejowska (e-mail: rejowska@cricoteka.pl, tel.: 505 319 882)

There is also the possibility of making an appointment.

For more information on accessibility, visit https://cricoteka.pl/pl/dostepnosc/