Bergen Centre for Electronic Arts

The POW Ensemble, founded in 2001 by Dutch composer/saxophonist Luc Houtkamp, is a chamber ensemble of the 21st century, using live electronics and computers as musical instruments. The ensemble has a unique powerful sound and an uncompromising approach.
Computer music is often thought of as incomprehensible sounds that nobody can understand, apart from some freaky nerds. POW Ensemble opens up this isolated universe and places computer music in the centre of the musical world. Thus, a concert by POW ensemble is something completely different: here, real music is being made!

Electronic or computer music is not another style in itself, but has the potency to move between different styles and musical traditions, and cross many boundaries. The musicians use improvisation, live processing, interacting with electronic and acoustic instruments such as cello and saxophone. By writing their own software, a completely unique sound and identity are created. It is self-evident that improvisation is an important factor in the groups musical concept.
In addition, the use of the computer in improvised music offers great opportunities to create new and highly complex forms of interaction. By connecting computers to interactive networks, frameworks can be created in which not only the musicians but also their instruments react to and interact with each other.
This approach has brought POW Ensemble international recognition in the world of live electronic music.