Gilles Grimaître on Residency in India

Gilles Grimaître. Photo credit: Vanja Čerimagić

Gilles Grimaître is a pianist, keyboardist, composer, performer and curator active in the field of contemporary creation, based in Bienne, Switzerland. As pianist he is a member of the ensembles Collegium Novum Zürich, L’Imaginaire, Ensemble Lemniscate, Duo Orion and performs regularly with international ensembles and orchestras.

He also founded HYPER DUO with the percussionist/drummer Julien Mégroz. The duo explores as much stylistic contrasts, the search for new forms of performance as intimate collaborations with artists from extramusical backgrounds.

Passionate about improvisation and electric music, he develops a personal instrumentarium made of analog synthesizers, and samplers, which he uses within HYPER DUO but also in his own compositions.

During his residency in India, Gilles wishes to pursue classical – especially Carnatic – form of music.  He will be in Bengaluru, Chennai and Puducherry. “As a classical musician and composer active in the realm of new music, I have been fascinated by Carnatic Music and more specifically by the technique of Konnakol,” says Gilles, adding “This residency would allow me to work deeply on this inspiring musical language, to collaborate with local musicians and composers and discover more about South Indian culture. Ultimately my idea would be able to bring awareness on Konnakol in our western classical musical practice and apply it in new compositions.”

Follow Gilles Grimaitre on Instagram @grimaitregilles and on his soundcloud.