Evil
nigger

A renowned figure of New York’s musical avant-garde in the 1970s and 1980S, Julius Eastman was a multifaceted artist who was simultaneously a composer, a pianist, a singer, and a dancer. His pieces, which fall within the realms of the minimalist movement incorporate elements of pop and reflect his political commitment against racism and homophobia.

Sinking into poverty and ravaged by alcohol abuse, Julius Eastman died alone in 1990 and many of his scores were lost. Unfairly neglected, his work is currently being rediscovered.

On stage, four pianos and four musicians who are equally versed in the classical and contemporary repertoires. Melaine Dalibert, Stéphane Ginsburgh, Nicolas Horvath and Wilhem Latchoumia have been chosen to perform Julius Eastman’s famous trilogy, with white-hot intensity and titles evocative of the composer’s struggles: Evil Nigger, Crazy Nigger and Gay Guerrilla.