Self-destruction and reinvention

In 2026, participants of the Grafenegg Academy can expect an extraordinary project: Together with one of the most significant composers of our time, they will work on the world premiere of a new work. Additionally, they will reflect on the importance of art and its role in society through discussions, excursions, and lectures with experts from various fields.

The starting point is the personal story of Mollena Lee Williams-Haas: The actress, author, performer, and activist describes in an autobiographical text her difficult journey from a self-destructive alcohol addiction to sobriety. Her inner demon appears in personified form as a hyena. Her husband, Georg Friedrich Haas, who was Composer in Residence in Grafenegg in 2022, composed the gripping music for this narrative.

In 2016, a deeply impressed audience at Wien Modern experienced the world premiere of "Hyena." The film version of this work (2021, directed by Jack Perez) forms the first part of a day centered around the multifaceted sound worlds of Georg Friedrich Haas.

As commissioned compositions for Grafenegg, two works will have their world premieres: "Hyena II" for storyteller and orchestra, spoken by the author and performed by the Grafenegg Academy Orchestra under the direction of Ilan Volkov, and as the concluding third part "Hyena III," for narrator and four pianos tuned at microtonal intervals.

The musicians will explore the theme of self-destruction and reinvention that underlies the works through an interdisciplinary framework program. This includes a public panel discussion with participants from various disciplines, moderated by Axel Brüggemann, who has been brought in as a dramaturg for the Academy. This will conclude an emotional concert day focused on the artistic processing of biographical experiences.

Cast:
Orchestra: Grafenegg Academy Orchestra
Conductor: Ilan Volkov
Narrator: Mollena Williams-Haas

Program:
Anton Webern: "Im Sommerwind" Idyll for large orchestra
Ludwig van Beethoven: "Leonore" Overture No. 3 op. 72a - Intermission -
Georg Friedrich Haas: "Hyena II" for storyteller and orchestra (world premiere/commissioned work of the Grafenegg Festival)