Art Project · Est. 2021
Where simplicity transcends intellect
Albert Einstein listed five ascending levels of intellect. The last — beyond the genius — was just … simple. For Einstein, simplicity was the highest form of intelligence.
The Motto of the Project
About the Project
Three artists with the same origin, making music in three different countries — Denmark, Qatar and France — who reunite to create experimental contemporary music. The main goal of BEYOND THE GENIUS is to offer a different point of view on famous contemporary art through the tools of music.
The ensemble follows the tradition of composers such as Mussorgsky, Debussy and Sukegawa, who described achievements from other arts — painting, architecture — in the language of music.
In 2021, BEYOND THE GENIUS was invited by HEART — Herning Museum of Contemporary Art — to present the world premiere of "Ode to a CAN" by Yavor Petkov, dedicated to Piero Manzoni's iconic work Merda d'artista, at the Socle du Monde Biennale 2021. The composition entered HEART's permanent collection.
"Simple goes beyond the limit of the genius."
Yavor Petkov · Alexander Kamenarov · Georgi Varbanov
Live Performance
Yavor Petkov · Alexander Kamenarov · Georgi Varbanov · HEART Museum, Herning · 26 August 2021
Watch Part II →The Artists
I
Composition · Bassoon
Denmark
German-Bulgarian bassoonist and composer based in Denmark. Fagottist at Ensemble MidtVest and the conceptual driving force behind Beyond The Genius. His daily encounters with contemporary art at HEART Museum inspired the creation of "Ode to a CAN."
II
Percussion · Composer & Co-Composer
Qatar
Bulgarian percussionist, composer and co-composer based in Qatar. Co-composer of the internationally performed "Tanz za Barabani." A founding member of Beyond The Genius, bringing rhythmic depth and Balkan fire to the ensemble's experimental sound.
III
Percussion · Composer & Co-Composer
Salzburg · Paris
Russian-Bulgarian percussionist, marimba soloist, composer and co-composer based in Salzburg and Paris. Winner of over twenty international prizes, including First Prize and the André Jolivet Prize at the International Percussion Competition Luxembourg (2005). First solo percussionist of the Orchestre national d'Île-de-France since 2009. His percussive voice — rooted in Bulgarian rhythm and honed on European concert stages — gives Beyond The Genius its pulse and power.
Featured Work · World Premiere · HEART Herning · 26 August 2021
A chamber work in four movements for bassoon and two percussionists. Composed by Yavor Petkov as a tribute to Piero Manzoni's iconic Merda d'artista (1961), it dissolves the boundary between a visual object in physical space and sound as a bodily phenomenon of waves and vibrations.
The work deploys musical cryptography in the tradition of Bach and Shostakovich — encoding KünstlerSCHEISSE and the hidden message H–E–A–E: Human Excrements — Artists Eternity.
I
Searching
The chaotic thoughts of the artist — centuries of achievement make recognition nearly impossible. How to find one's own voice?
II
In the Bathroom
A quiet place where time grows static. The artist's soul halfway between reality and meditation — and the idea of the can is born.
III
The Dream
Romantic improvisation gives way to a rhythmical dance in 7/8. Six variations encode the dream of artistic eternity.
IV
In the Factory
The dream becomes reality. A can worth the price of 30 g of gold. The path to eternity stands open.
Piero Manzoni · Merda d'Artiste, 1961 · HEART Collection, Herning
Also Watch
Part II of the performance
Press
Herning Folkeblad
27 August 2021
★★★★
"Socle du Monde rises grandly with the premiere — one of HEART's greatest treasures made musical. An experimental journey behind the facade of an artistic genius, executed with equal brilliance."
Read full reviewSeismograf
14 September 2021
↑↑
"Balkan-fiery, dramatizing — with Petkov as the dreaming Manzoni on a sofa in front of the stage. Gold confetti rained on the can. Standing ovations."
Read full reviewVia Ritzau / HEART Museum
24 August 2021
"Piero Manzoni's iconic work honoured in experimental contemporary music for Socle du Monde Biennale 2021. The composition enters HEART's permanent collection."
Event pageWith Gratitude
HEART — Herning Museum of Contemporary Art
For the invitation to present the world premiere of "Ode to a CAN" at the Socle du Monde Biennale 2021, and for welcoming the composition into HEART's permanent collection.
Adams Percussion Instruments
For the ongoing collaboration and support in the development of percussion instruments. Adams' craftsmanship is at the heart of every Beyond The Genius performance.
Contact & Bookings
Beyond The Genius is available for concert invitations,
museum collaborations and art-music projects worldwide.
Yavor Petkov · Alexander Kamenarov · Georgi Varbanov
For bookings and press inquiries, please reach out to the artists directly.