Across the North Sea: Barbara Drazkov

Free Event

Estimated end time: 10.20pm 

Barbara Drazkov prepared piano / harmonium 

Polish-born, Brussels-based pianist and composer Barbara Drazkov — also described as a ‘pianist-percussionist’ — builds complex, hyper-rhythmic sonic architectures through purely physical sound generation. 

Known for rescuing discarded vintage instruments and transforming them through tactile preparation, Drazkov turns the piano keyboard into an acoustic percussion engine. In this high-energy solo performance, the sustained, drone-like tones of a harmonium provide a pseudo-electronic foundation for intricate, polyrhythmic structures created on a prepared piano. 

Wood, metal and mechanical textures intersect to form hypnotic, looping grooves and shifting phase patterns. Working entirely live, without digital synthesis, loops or electronic effects, Drazkov relies on advanced extended techniques to draw an extraordinary range of sounds from her instruments. 

The result is a striking acoustic illusion; mechanical precision, physical craftmanship and raw kinetic energy combining to push the boundaries of what a keyboard performance can be. 

Produced by hcmf// as part of Across the North Sea in collaboration with Sacrum Profanum festival; supported by the Polish Cultural Institute 

Photo: Barbara Drazkov © Jakub Hanisz