1984
New European Ensemble presented the premiere of the production 1984 featuring whistleblower Edward Snowden and actor Boris van der Ham, based on the novel of the same name by George Orwell. Estonian composer Mihkel Kerem wrote an ensemble piece for NEuE inspired by the novel.
Filmmaker Gijs Besseling created an accompanying film in which musicians from the ensemble portray Orwell’s story, linked to their role in the musical work. Excerpts from Orwell’s novel are acted by Boris van der Ham, with commentary by Edward Snowden.
“A massively powerful piece…the playing is superb…a superb telling of Orwell’s story.” -Musical America
“A powerful evocation of the dystopian themes of Orwell’s novel places the orchestra score at its heart…gripping and compelling.” **** Planet Hugillt
The story
Snowden exposed the American NSA and the extent to which the communications of ordinary citizens are intercepted and monitored. Snowden: “Increasingly we lose our seat at the table and our ability to steer the future, and all of these processes begin from the corruption of language, which was Orwell’s greatest fear.”
The growing extent to which our personal communications are intercepted and stored by corporations and governments proves the relevance of 1984 in our time. Technological progress makes it possible to keep us under surveillance and is nothing less than a step toward Orwell’s dystopia.
“We all have a rough idea, but in his talk Snowden explains it precisely: How your smartphone works, what happens to your data, how the tech giants know everything about you, and why that’s something to be seriously concerned about,” says Emlyn Stam. Snowden makes clear how relevant Orwell’s dystopia remains: “This isn’t something from Stalin’s time. This is happening now.”
Mihkel Kerem, Estonian composer — and our violinist! — grew up in the final days of the Soviet Union and thus knows the totalitarian state firsthand. In his music, the cello takes on the role of Winston, who rises up against the system. Kerem’s composition won the award for Best Original Score at the London Film Awards in May 2021.
NRC recently published an article about our production 1984 and spoke with violinist Emlyn Stam, actor Boris van der Ham, and cellist Willem Stam. You can read the full article here: READ!
Text George Orwell
Composer & Conductor Mihkel Kerem
Actor Boris van der Ham
Introduction Edward Snowden
Cello Solo Willem Stam
Ensemble New European Ensemble
Video Footage Gijs Besseling
Director Emlyn Stam
Translation Karim Ameur
Education Project Leader Mieke van der Ven
Duration 65 minutes
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