The Styrian Improvisers Orchestra (STIO) is a dynamic ensemble based in Graz, Austria, dedicated to exploring the boundaries of free and conducted improvisation. Founded in 2012 by V:NM Graz, the orchestra brings together musicians from the Graz and Vienna improvisation scenes, along with guest artists and conductors versed in improvisational practices.
Under the direction of conductors such as Annette Giesriegl, Elisabeth Harnik and Denovaire, STIO operates as a single, large instrument, guided by hand signals, gestures, or symbols. The ensemble’s size and instrumentation are fluid, ranging from 15 to 35 players and incorporating a diverse array of instruments, including wind, strings, keyboards, vocals, percussion, electronics, and unconventional or DIY instruments.
STIO is also central to the STIO Festival of New and Improvised Music, held regularly in Graz, which showcases innovative performances and collaborations in the field of improvised music.
For more information and upcoming events, visit their official website: stio.mur.at.
Yuval Avital is a Jerusalem-born composer, guitarist, and multimedia artist based in Milan. Renowned for his expansive sonic creations and immersive “icon-sonic operas,” Avital seamlessly blends contemporary music with traditional cultures, visual arts, and cutting-edge technology.
His large-scale works, such as Mise en abîme and GARON, involve hundreds of performers and incorporate diverse elements like accordions, tubas, choirs, and live electronics. These compositions often explore themes of cultural identity and collective memory. In his icon-sonic operas, including Kolot and Fuga Perpetua, Avital integrates music, video, and live performance to create multisensory experiences that challenge conventional artistic boundaries.
Avital’s innovative approach has been showcased at prominent venues and festivals worldwide, including the Warsaw Autumn Festival, MiTo SettembreMusica, and the Brighton Festival. His work continues to redefine the intersection of music, art, and human experience
