Since the beginning of confinement, artists have been full of initiatives to support healthcare personnel who are fighting against the spread of the coronavirus.
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After the tributes in songs, the charity concerts, or the calls for donations, percussionists had the idea to take over Clapping Music from Steve Reich, a music entirely made up of ... applause. A way for them to show their gratitude to the medical profession, as many French people do every evening at 8 p.m. from their window.
From the National Orchestra of France and the Philharmonic of Radio France, the twelve friends were filmed with humor applauding the rhythm of the title of the American composer, imagined in 1972. We see in particular some of the musicians typing not with their hands but on cups, boxing gloves or toilet paper.
A nice tribute led by percussionist Rodolphe Théry, less easy than it may seem at first glance: indeed, Clapping Music was written initially for only two people clapping their hands.
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Contacted by France Musique , the musicians wanted "this offbeat version of Clapping Music [to be] one more dressing on this crisis that affects us all ". They all wanted to " give their support to all those who, directly or indirectly, are affected by the Covid-19, as well as to those who find themselves today on the front line in this fight: caregivers, firefighters ... . these trades essential to our society ".
A few days ago, the musicians of the National Orchestra of France had already embarked on this type of performance. A remote concert, where each of the fifty musicians interpreted Ravel's Boléro in front of their screen, instrument in hand, for a stunning result.