UBahn is based on Jon Rose’s story Das ist Kein Cello (This is NO cello) from the book he published with Rainer Linz the pink violin (1992). It tells the true story of Rose’s failed attempt to pass through an East German security check with his custom-made 19-string cello, a mutant instrument with drone, cluster and resonating strings, wooden rods protruding from the side and an elaborate system for independent amplification of different parts of the instrument. His visa stated only “cello” and a zealous crew of border guards, one a cellist, questioned him at length, finally insisting that he demonstrate the instrument in a little informal lecture demonstration.

Jon Rose is a sort of meta-improviser, his materials derive not only from music but also the absurdities of real life, generating their own worlds for his virtuosic exploration. Rose perhaps sums this up best in the description of his alter ego Johannes Rosenberg and his family

“The Rosenbergs supply an unending encyclopaedia of concepts, any one of which can be a lifeboat of positive thought in a sea of despair and gloom. Or indeed, each can be considered a lighthouse to protect the weary listener from floundering on the rocks of cynicism. Or each could even be a wind of hope to blow us to edge of the known world and then on; on and off the edge into the black and very sweaty armpit of a contracting universe”

He is a fabulous fabulist and many of his strangest stories including this one arise from his time living in East Germany in the 1980s during one of the most absurd periods of human history. This piece celebrates Rose’s Berlin years. In Ubahn you will hear Rose reading parts of the story Das ist Kein Cello.

He also contributed a the graffitied version of the East German national anthem (originally penned by Hans Eisler).

The score for UBahn literally takes the form of the Berlin underground rail system during this period. The players move freely along rail-lines overlaid with musical materials, and can change lines freely at each “station”. In this work all roads lead to the East and by the end of the work each of the players has transferred into the East Berlin rail network from which they cannot return.

The scores are presented on networked iPads. The amazing programming for the iPads was completed by decibel member Aaron Wyatt.