Experience the spectacular opening concert of Gaudeamus 2021 (Festival for young music pioneers), filmed live on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. In this solo piano performance by virtuoso Ralph van Raat, you'll hear new music created for the 75th anniversary of Gaudeamus. The program includes pieces by Gaudeamus Award-nominee Gen Tanaka and the striking Techno Etudes I & II by Karen Tanaka. Van Raat, who won the International Gaudeamus Performers Competition in 1999, has maintained a close relationship with the festival. Karen Tanaka, a former Gaudeamus Award winner in 1987, returns as a jury member and presents a stunning sequel to her famous Techno Etudes. Gen Tanaka explores the concept of innovation in his new work Novelty is a Density of Connection, questioning how we can still innovate in 2021.Program:Karen Tanaka – Techno Etudes IHuang Ruo – Red RainHeather Pinkham – Crooked StillGen Tanaka – Novelty is a Density of ConnectionKaren Tanaka – Techno Etudes II