| Luís Bittencourt |
| Performing musician · Composer · Sound Artist · Artist-Researcher |
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| A New Performative Concert |
Architectures
of Water |
Five works entitled Water Music by John Cage, Tōru Takemitsu,
Joseph Byrd, Tan Dun and Rui Penha |
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| Positioned between concert performance, sound art and acoustic installation, Architectures of Water is the result of more than fifteen years of artistic research into water as a musical instrument — an immersive, visually striking work for audiences and venues seeking something rare. |
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| ▸ Play Video |
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| The Concept |
Water as Instrument,
Gesture and Territory |
Architectures of Water traverses multiple approaches to water within experimental and contemporary music, combining expanded instrumentation, electronics, amplification, resonant objects and digital technologies. The programme creates a dialogue between historical avant-garde works and contemporary creation, revealing water as a territory of listening, gesture and transformation.
Developed through more than fifteen years of artistic research by Luís Bittencourt into the sonic, performative and ritual potential of water, the project expands the boundaries between body, matter, gesture and technology — an experience particularly suited to contemporary music venues, interdisciplinary festivals, sound art contexts and unconventional performance spaces. |
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| The Programme |
| Five Waters, Five Voices |
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Water Music (1952)
John Cage
A landmark of indeterminacy and expanded performance practice. |
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Water Music (1960)
Tōru Takemitsu
Electroacoustic work reimagined as a new performative version, exploring the potential of Xylosynth® and Max MSP®. |
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Water Music (1968)
Joseph Byrd
A rarely performed work dedicated to Max Neuhaus, centred on amplified water sounds, metallic resonances and sonic spatialisation. |
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Water Music (2004)
Tan Dun
Originally composed for percussion quartet — presented here in a solo version created by Luís Bittencourt. |
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Water Music (2026) — new work
Rui Penha
Conceived specifically for this performative context. |
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| Photography — Fernando Gomes |
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| Credits |
| Creative & Artistic Team |
Creation & Performance
Luís Bittencourt |
Composition & Programming
Rui Penha |
Sound Design
Rodolfo Cardoso |
Light Design
Cárin Geada |
Light Operation
João Fonte |
Projection & Video Mapping
Zhang Qinzhe |
Graphic Design
André Gigante |
Executive Production
Tatiana Vargas |
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World premiere — 26 July 2026, Teatro Helena Sá e Costa (THSC / ESMAE), Porto, Portugal
With the support of República Portuguesa · Direção-Geral das Artes · Antena 2 |
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| For Promoters |
| Practical Information |
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| Duration |
Approx. 55–60 minutes, no interval [to confirm] |
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| Format |
Solo performative concert, with video projection / mapping, live electronics and amplified water elements with surround sound |
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| Suitable Venues |
Contemporary music venues, black-box theatres, interdisciplinary and sound-art festivals, unconventional performance spaces |
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| Touring Party |
Performer + technical/production team [to confirm] |
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| Technical Needs |
Video projection / mapping system, PA & sound reinforcement, stage lighting rig, water-safe stage surface and drainage. Full technical rider available on request. |
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| Language |
Non-verbal / instrumental — no language barrier |
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| Fee |
Available on request, according to venue and territory |
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| "A master of sound experimentation" |
| Vision Magazine, Portugal |
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© 2026 Luís Bittencourt. All rights reserved.
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