Maxime Denuc

The Elevate Festival traditionally opens with a commissioned work for the Schloßberglift. This year, Brussels-based French composer Maxime Denuc has developed a miniature composition for this purpose.

As a solo artist, his work focuses on church organs. In 2020, he released Solarium with the Belgian label Vlek, an organ-centred project that draws on the emotional power of sunrise to create an experience that is both musical and social. Two years later, he composed Nachthorn for MIDI-controlled organ on the main instrument of St. Antonius Church in Düsseldorf. The release was highly acclaimed by critics.

Maxime Denuc has recently performed at numerous venues and festivals, including Rewire (NL), Festival Variations (FR), lntonal (SE), Orgelpark (NL), STUK Leuven (BE), Meakusma (BE) and Klangspuren (AT).

The Music for Elevators series is an established part of the Elevate Festival programme. For one year, a sound installation transforms the Schloßberglift. The ride in this liminal space becomes an associative experience – albeit a brief one – that stimulates the imagination.

In the past, compositions by renowned musicians such as Suzanne Ciani, Brian Eno, Caterina Barbieri and Dorian Concept have been played in the glass lift, inspiring guests.