Matt Stokes: "Sacred Selections" Performance, Martinskirche, Kassel, Germany

Matt Stokes Sacred Selections Happy Hardcore organ recital Friday, 11 February 2011 9 p.m. at St. Martin's Church in Kassel Within the framework of his major solo exhibition No Place Else Better Than Here at Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Kassel Matt Stokes will initiate a concert linking two different musical genres. On a classical church organ, London-based organist Paul Ayres will perform a series of Happy Hardcore pieces. Happy Hardcore is a genre of music typified by a very fast tempo (usually around 160-180 BPM), often coupled with solo vocals and sentimental lyrics. Its characteristically 4/4 beat "happy" sound distinguishes it from most other forms of Hardcore dance music and is stark contrast to classical organ music. No Place Else Better Than Here runs until 20th February 2011 http://www.fridericianum-kassel.de/ Image: Matt Stokes Sacred Selections, 2005 (ongoing) Artifacts from a series of live pipe organ recitals: oak bench, velvet lined oak box, 3 stitched fabric flags with flagpoles in velvet pouches, flagpole holders, posters, handbills and audio CD (posters and handbills will be added to following future events. Courtesy of the artist and Workplace Gallery, UK