MUSIK FROM ICE AT THE ICE DOME 
ON THE GLACIER VAL SENALES/SCHNALSTAL
immagine: guitars, violins, organ, flutes and drums made from frozen water - ice. Incredible but truth! UNIQUE in Europe: Tim Linhart makes it real! Every sunday from february 3th at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. concerts with ice instruments for free!

Tim Linhart was born in Kansas, USA in 1960 but now lives in the north of Sweden. He first started working with ice in 1984, while still in the USA, producing monumental  sculptures. Ice fascinates him not only because of its transparency and transient nature but also because of the sound it produces. His first ice instrument was a gigantic Contrabass which he presented to the public at a unique concert event at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Beaver Creek, Colorado, USA. His audience was suitably impressed and their approval encouraged Tim Linhart to let his fantasy and imagination run wild. He has, in fact, gone on to produce a whole series of ice musical instruments. He still dedicated himself his ice sculptures with great passion, choosing to exhibit his extravagant, much admired work in the especially captivating, intriguing atmosphere of a frozen igloo.

 

Instruments made of frozen water
Ice is, without doubt, a delicate, transient, impermanent material, and instruments made from ice produce a truly fascinating, unique sound which constantly while the musician plays. This is, of course, a real challenge to the artist's sensitivity and improvisation. The absolute beauty of the crystal-clear tone these instruments made of frozen water captivates both the musician and his listeners alike. Practically speaking, Linhart can produce almost an entire ice orchestra with violins, guitars, percussion instruments, vibra-phone and flutes. He makes them all himself, forming and shaping the flat surfaces and ribs from ice. The thickness of the ice used infoluences the quality of tone the instrument in question produces and must be carefully adjusted to get the desired results. String instruments, such as violins, are given their own wooden cover to protect them from the musicians' body heat. Different coloured lighting effects are used to illuminate the instruments and make the show a truly sensational experience.

World news! A revolutionary new musical instrument
Together with well-known, innovative cellist and composer, Italian Giovanni Sollina, and Munich-based violin maker Anita Stang-Mantovani, artist Tim Linhart plans to create a completely revolutionary new musical instrument on the Schnals Valley Glacier - a kind of gigantic cello. Linhart himself will sit inside the instrument, which is comprised of two cellos with a double set of strings, and weave his fingers magically over the inter-woven, criss-cross mesh to produce highly complex, intriguing, original kind of sound.

 

The first Ice Cathedral
A truly prestigious event for which not only will the musical instruments be made of ice but also the venue itself. An awesome, thrilling location in the fascinating world of the Schnals Valley Glacier will be transformed into an unexpected architectural experience. The design features a central domed chamber standing 20 mt. with multiple antichambers. A fantastically original setting with a stage, rows of seats and bar all carved from ice, of course. A real challenge for an international team of musicians and expert architects. Work started on the construction at the beginning of November and the "cathedral" with its absolutely unique atmosphere will house any number of other events, including weddings and the like.
Starting from 03.02.2008, Tim Linhart himself will personally escourt free-of-charge guided tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11.00a.m..

Icemusic Festival
Work at the Ice Palace and its frozen, transparent musical instruments will go on to the 03.th february. Musicians, instrument makers and architects who are interested in taking part in the various workshops will, of course, be most welcome. The Icemusic Festival will be held from the end of Juanary to the beginning of April. It will feature so-called Music of the Spheres and be set against the powerful, intense back-drop of the Schnals Valley Glacier with its natural, harmonic architecture.
From 03.th. February 2008, the "Icemusic Ensemble" will play their frozen instruments in the Ice Cathedral every Sunday at 11a.m an at 2p.m. Entrance - free-of-charge.

For further details about the Architecture and Music Workshops or for special guided tours, concerts and travelling info contact Tourismusverein Schnalstal, tel. 0039 0473 679177, Email: info@schnalstal.it