This thematic strand evokes resynthesis – a processing method in computer music that analyzes sounds to extract their fundamental components – as a guiding metaphor to confront conservative views of culture as something frozen, solidified, and generally untouchable, thus resistant to any transformative practices.
Commissioned works and concerts
New works include »Oto Aulos« by Marcin Pietruszewski and aulos performer Lukas de Clerck centres on the creation of a new composition for aulos and computer. De Clerck will also appear with a solo peformance on the aulos, presenting some of his interpretations of an instrument for which we have no sonic record. gamut inc focus on electro-acoustic and machine-built performances, sharpening a critique of mechanisation, digitality, and the human in between. Sote will premiere »Sound Design In Far Sea«, where transformed echoes of Persian instruments and field recordings from Iran dissolve into shimmering layers of synthesis. CORIN will present »Resonance,« createing harmonic and rhythmic systems within non-Western musical ecologies by sampling the kulintang, a Filipino precolonial gong chime instrument. Milkweed twist fragments of memory and myth into lo-fi folk songs, grinding tradition through experimental productions simultaneously evocative of uncanny age and contemporary sharpness.
Discourse
A talk by the kazakh poet Anuar Duisenbinov will also be announced soon.
Artistic Lab
Back for a second edition at CTM, the namesake Resynthesising the Traditional artistic lab regroups six fellows selected via open call will work together during the festival week at radialsystem studios. Hosted by Yara Mekawei and Stas Shärifullá, the fellows Bint Mbareh, Dorothy Carlos, Maarja Nuut, Marina Tantanozi, Miłosz Kędra, and Saba Alizadeh will present their current solo work in short, public presentations on Tuesday 27 January 2026, and share insights into some of the ideas, processes and conversations explored during the week at a roundtable discussion on the festival’s closing Sunday 1 February, ahead of Khalil Epi’s performance.
CTM Magazine
A new series dedicated to exploring exploring the Resynthesising the Traditional theme from various perspectives is available via the CTM Magazine. Initiated with CTM 2025, the collection of articles will keep expanding with each festival edition and beyond. Readers can use the keyword search »Resynthesising the Traditional« to filter related articles.