"On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the city of Mannheim, Germany, Alva Noto (Carsten Nicolai) and Ryuichi Sakamoto were invited to develop an audio-visual performance together with Ensemble Modern of Frankfurt am Main. The concept of the arising piece named Utp_ is derived from the Rasterized structure of Mannheim (built as an ideal city in the 17th century) and also pays reference to the musical history of the city.

The result of the collaboration -- like the former projects of Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto -- Vrioon (2002), Insen (2005) and Revep (2005) -- is a synergetic mixture of electronic and natural sounds that is expanded by the potential of the classical instruments of Ensemble Modern. Utp_, the title of the new composition is deduced from the term "utopia," and hence describes an approach that leaves space for further extensive associations.

The release consists of an audio CD, a DVD, a full colour booklet and the score. The DVD contains the utp_ concert movie and a utp_ 'try-out' to document both the developing process of the piece and the final result."-Raster-Noton

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