Portmanteau:
- a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two other words, for example
brunch [breakfast + lunch] or Spanglish [Spanish + English]; - a concert for solo viola and household objects – knitting needle, clothespin, rubber bands –
creating a hybrid instrument capable of new sounds and gestures.
In Portmanteau, violist and composer Julie Michael explores prepared viola, augmenting the instrument with ordinary objects. It began with absurd chance encounters between objects in her home: the viola – a precious instrument, a thing of beauty in its own right – and a knitting needle – a humble tool for humble work, a means to an end. In addition to showcasing astonishing sounds – from ear-tickling textures to gong-like resonance – the concert shines unexpected light on everyday objects and the sounds hidden within, leading to reflections on sensory experience, consumption, and play.
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Julie Michael is a violist and composer whose work pushes the expressive boundaries of her instrument through a singular artistic voice. Julie’s approach to the viola is deeply personal—marked by a keen sensitivity to texture, a playful rhythmic imagination, and an openness to unconventional sounds and materials. Her own compositions for solo viola frequently incorporate text and found objects, expanding the instrument’s expressive palette while retaining an intimate, grounded quality. Her debut album, Portmanteau, forthcoming on Klankhaven Records, features her original compositions for viola and household objects, which she regularly performs across Europe.