Is it a love story? Undoubtedly. Is it a play about the strange relationship between people and their computers? Likewise (after all, among other things, quite a few annoying spam emails are given musical honors in it). Is it experimental literature? Indeed, at least in part, because one of the actors from the Oulipo circle of authors around Raymond Queneau and Georges Perec is involved in it. Is it film music for an abstract film with letters instead of actors? In a way, that too. When musician and composer Pascal Schumacher, typographer Michel Welfringer and writer Ian Monk join forces to write variations on CTRL (control? the control key? the sounds C, T, R, and L? the letters?) for the ensemble United Instruments of Lucilin, a kind of controlled loss of control is preprogrammed.
In the realm of music, where creativity knows no bounds, composer Kaan Bulak and trumpeter Simon Hofele join forces to unveil a mesmerizing sonic tapestry in their latest collaborative album, No Clouds in Haraz. " This musical odyssey is not merely an assortment of tracks but a profound homage to faraway places and a shared love for the simple yet profound pleasure of coffee. As the needle drops onto the vinyl or the digital waves fill the air, listeners are transported to distant worlds, guided by the evocative melodies and innovative compositions of Bulak. The album's title, a nod to the majestic mountains of Haraz in Yemen, sets the stage for a journey that goes beyond geographical boundaries. At the heart of this musical endeavor is a celebration of diversity-both in landscapes and musical influences. The harmonious blend of trumpet, synths, beats, and experimental sounds creates a sonic landscape that mirrors the intricate tapestry of our global cultural heritage. Each note resonates with the essence of places unseen, inviting the audience to experience a rich tapestry of sound. The trumpet takes center stage, it's resonant tones weaving seamlessly with electronic enchantments, giving rise to a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. The result is a musical fusion that not only captivates the soul but also paints a vivid picture of the evolving nature of our interconnected world. Bulak and Hofele's collaboration goes beyond the conventional boundaries of genre, offering a view of the world that is both respectful and modern. The music becomes a bridge that connects distant landscapes and shared passions, mirroring the ever-changing clouds on the horizon. "No Clouds in Haraz" is a celebration of artistic collaboration and a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when diverse influences converge. As you embark on this extraordinary musical journey, let the notes guide you through landscapes unknown, and savor the richness of a cultural mosaic brought to life through the universal language of music. In every melody and beat, discover the magic of a world where there are truly "No Clouds in Haraz.
In the realm of music, where creativity knows no bounds, composer Kaan Bulak and trumpeter Simon Hofele join forces to unveil a mesmerizing sonic tapestry in their latest collaborative album, "No Clouds in Haraz. " This musical odyssey is not merely an assortment of tracks but a profound homage to faraway places and a shared love for the simple yet profound pleasure of coffee. As the needle drops onto the vinyl or the digital waves fill the air, listeners are transported to distant worlds, guided by the evocative melodies and innovative compositions of Bulak. The album's title, a nod to the majestic mountains of Haraz in Yemen, sets the stage for a journey that goes beyond geographical boundaries. At the heart of this musical endeavor is a celebration of diversity-both in landscapes and musical influences. The harmonious blend of trumpet, synths, beats, and experimental sounds creates a sonic landscape that mirrors the intricate tapestry of our global cultural heritage. Each note resonates with the essence of places unseen, inviting the audience to experience a rich tapestry of sound. The trumpet takes center stage, it's resonant tones weaving seamlessly with electronic enchantments, giving rise to a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. The result is a musical fusion that not only captivates the soul but also paints a vivid picture of the evolving nature of our interconnected world. Bulak and Hofele's collaboration goes beyond the conventional boundaries of genre, offering a view of the world that is both respectful and modern. The music becomes a bridge that connects distant landscapes and shared passions, mirroring the ever-changing clouds on the horizon. "No Clouds in Haraz" is a celebration of artistic collaboration and a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when diverse influences converge. As you embark on this extraordinary musical journey, let the notes guide you through landscapes unknown, and savor the richness of a cultural mosaic brought to life through the universal language of music. In every melody and beat, discover the magic of a world where there are truly "No Clouds in Haraz.
Pascal Schumacher's new album LUNA is in complete contrast to his previous release, SOL. And it's not just the play with the contrasting album titles that already points to the different moods of brightness and darkness. Both releases also come from different creative viewpoints. While SOL held something of a spontaneous discovery as Schumacher embarked on his first solo endeavor with the vibraphone after years of playing with bands and ensembles, LUNA captures a more contemplative side of Schumacher's work, which again was more about composing for other musicians. Specifically for the Belgian post-classical ensemble Echo Collective, which gives the album it's many layers and textures. Despite the contrasts, SOL and LUNA don't become adversaries, quite the contrary. Their duality feels entirely complementary, the expression of natural musical evolution as day gently glides into the night.
Pascal Schumacher's new album LUNA is in complete contrast to his previous release SOL, and it's not just the play with contrasting album titles that points to the different moods of brightness and darkness. Both releases also come from different creative viewpoints. While SOL offered a sense of spontaneous discovery as Schumacher embarked on his first solo endeavor with the vibraphone after years of playing with bands and ensembles, LUNA captures a more contemplative side of Schumacher's work. This involves composing for others, specifically for the Belgian post-classical ensemble Echo Collective.
Echo Collective has earned an international reputation in the post-classical world: chosen by icons such as A Winged Victory for the Sullen and the late Jóhann Jóhannsson for their instrumental expertise and arranging experience, the collective is also known for their interpretive intuition in genres such as rock, synth-pop, and black metal. The synergies between the musicians are palpable throughout on LUNA, with Echo Collective laying out something like a bed or canvas on which Pascal Schumacher paints with his vibraphone and other pitched percussion.
LUNA's nocturnal sentiment is conveyed largely through calm and tenderness, but not every vibration of the late-night hours is so serene. Rhythmicon is one track that plays with this very different nocturnal energy, blossoming with increasing speed and intensity. Inspired by Leon Theremin's eponymous 1930's electromechanical instrument, Rhythmicon forms an energetic percussive track that incorporates multiple and simultaneous rhythmic patterns.
LUNA is a shining friend in the lonely night, a reminder of our eternal satellite. -Translation by ArkivMusic
With his eighth album MORLA, ECHO award winner Tim Allhoff shows curiosity, self confidence and a stylistic diversity that reflects his various musical influences. For many years he has been one of the most important pianists on the German scene. The magazine JAZZTHING calls him the "Piano Shooting Star of the Republic" and the SuDDEUTSCHE congratulates him, with this release, on his "ascent to the top class of solo pianists". In his new Album MORLA, Allhoff takes the opportunity to reflect on the origins and course of his artistic work as a pianist and composer; the resulting collection of compositions evokes a variety of contrasting moods, reminiscent of a photo album - an album that exhibits different stages of his artistic career and the melting pot of the musical genres that is Tim Allhoff.
With his eighth album MORLA, ECHO award winner Tim Allhoff shows curiosity, self confidence and a stylistic diversity that reflects his various musical influences. For many years he has been one of the most important pianists on the German scene. The magazine JAZZTHING calls him the "Piano Shooting Star of the Republic" and the SuDDEUTSCHE congratulates him, with this release, on his "ascent to the top class of solo pianists". In his new Album MORLA, Allhoff takes the opportunity to reflect on the origins and course of his artistic work as a pianist and composer; the resulting collection of compositions evokes a variety of contrasting moods, reminiscent of a photo album - an album that exhibits different stages of his artistic career and the melting pot of the musical genres that is Tim Allhoff.
The music of contemporary composer Sophia Jani is characterized by it's great independence from structures and conventions as well as by it's musical poetry within a minimalist approach. Her debut album "Music as a Mirror" presents works for woodwind quintet, string quartet and piano. In the largely male environment with this album Sophia Jani aims to take a different perspective and position as a unique female voice. Sophia Jani's music lives from influences of various artists of all times and nations: from Bach and Schubert to the European and American avant-garde of the 20th and 21st century, to avant-pop artists like Bjo¨rk and Ryuichi Sakamoto, or electronic music producers such as Tim Hecker, Laurel Halo or Skee Mask. In this way, she creates music that spans a dramaturgical arc while suspending any sense of time - calm, powerful, elegant, dance-like. Thus she finds a poetic minimalism that takes it's listeners by the hand and imaginatively and cleverly opens a new horizon.
Jani: Music as a Mirror / Dandelion Quintett, Kontai Ensemble
Neue Meister
CD · 1 disc
$20.99Mar 18, 2022
The music of contemporary composer Sophia Jani is characterized by its great independence from structures and conventions as well as by its musical poetry within a minimalist approach. Her debut album “Music as a Mirror” presents works for woodwind quintet, string quartet and piano. In the largely male environment with this album Sophia Jani aims to take a different perspective and position as a unique female voice. Sophia Jani's music lives from influences of various artists of all times and nations: from Bach and Schubert to the European and American avant-garde of the 20th and 21st century, to avant-pop artists like Björk and Ryuichi Sakamoto, or electronic music producers such as Tim Hecker, Laurel Halo or Skee Mask. In this way, she creates music that spans a dramaturgical arc while suspending any sense of time - calm, powerful, elegant, dance-like. Thus she finds a poetic minimalism that takes its listeners by the hand and imaginatively and cleverly opens a new horizon.
Marina Baranova knows a thing or two about conjuring fantastical worlds. Since her childhood when she'd sit with her fairy tale books open in front of the piano translating the pictures she saw into sound worlds up to her last album, where she envisioned a darker side to Debussy, the Ukrainian composer and pianist's imagination has always played an active role in the music she plays. For her latest release, Atlas of Imaginary Places, she let's it run the show. For it, Baranova worked with the Danish visual artist Christian Gundtoft and Ukrainian writer Volodymyr Kompaniets to conceive more than just an album. They worked independently from each other, only having Baranova's untitled music as the starting point for their own creations. The 17 tracks on the album, however, contained enough material for the artists to delve into, Baranova's music is after all known for it's vivid imagery that immediately conveys intense pictures, emotions and storylines, and the pianist has said in the past she "sees" sounds as colors. Like glimpses of an unknown archipelago seen through layers of mist, Baranova's sound world is a spectacular setting that reveals itself slowly to listeners. Atlas of Imaginary Places is proof that our imagination is in fact a portal, and beyond it exist places that can be accessed and shared by all. The intimacy and synchronicity between the artists in creating Atlas of Imaginary Places made it seem like they "shared an island", a magical space Baranova is now inviting others to explore too. It isn't a linear journey, rather it delineates a space outside time that can be explored in an infinite number of ways. On a first listen, one might appreciate the vastness of the landscapes painted, and on another, ponder the depth of it's minute details.
In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary classical music, composer Henning Fuchs emerges as a trailblazer with his latest release, Cocoon. This musical odyssey composed by Henning Fuchs, beckons listeners to transcend the conventional and embark on a reflective journey through a unique blend of neo-classical and world music. Fuchs, once the assistant to the renowned Max Richter, brings his cinematic expertise to the forefront, crafting compositions that invite introspection and meditation. The core of this auditory adventure lies in Fuchs' ability to marry neo-classical elements with world music nuances. Drawing inspiration from his contemporary Irish abode, the album introduces rare traditional instruments, resonating with the sounds of a place that has become a muse for the composer. The result is a rich tapestry of tones and textures that transport the listener to an otherworldly realm where time seems to stand still. Collaborating with a talented ensemble of musicians, Fuchs enlists the skills of Katie O'Connor (Violin), Aoife NíDhornáir on (Violin/Viola), Paula Hughes on (Cello), Kieran Moynhihan (Flute), Aisling Ennis (Harp), and Martin Schärer on percussion. Each instrument becomes a storyteller, contributing to the album's narrative and enhancing its emotive depth.
Adding another layer to this sonic journey are the guest vocals of Uzo Nwanaga and Lisa Lambe. Their voices intertwine seamlessly with the instrumental arrangements, creating moments of sublime beauty and emotional resonance. Cocoon becomes a collaborative effort, an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional genres. As you delve into the tracks, there's an undeniable sense of being cocooned in the intricate melodies and thoughtful compositions. Fuchs' creation becomes a sanctuary, encouraging contemplation and reflection. It's an invitation to explore the uncharted territories where classical and world music intersect, challenging preconceived notions and offering a haven for those seeking a deeper connection with the music. The album is an auditory tapestry that encourages listeners to let go of expectations, immerse themselves in the soundscape, and emerge on the other side with a renewed perspective on the boundless possibilities of musical expression.
Asger Baden: If The Music Stops, They'll Eat Him Up (Yellow Vinyl)
Neue Meister
Vinyl · 1 disc
$26.99Jan 14, 2022
Danish composer, pianist and producer Asger Baden has made a name for himself as a film and TV series composer with his atmospheric music featured in world-acclaimed productions such as “Breaking Bad” and “The Wolfpack”. After having worked on several collaborative projects and composing with the bands “The Crooked Spoke” and “Cours Lapin”, Baden now releases his debut album of solo material, “If the music stops, they’ll eat him up” via Berlin-based label Neue Meister. It invokes through its nine tracks a sense of mysterious and highly visual storytelling. As is expected of a composer who has worked with cinema extensively, the music unfolds much like a motion picture, conjuring images that are rich and textured. It’s as if Baden was painting a wide and vast musical room where the listener is invited to explore its every nook and cranny, from soft percussive footsteps in the background, to the whispering rumbles of synthesizers just in front or the frail conversation of strings happening to the side. There’s an overwhelming sense of openness and atmosphere to every sound, with a churchy echo delineating the space that surrounds them. There’s definitely a lot of space for fantasy within “If the music stops, they’ll eat him up”, and much is left to the imagination of the listener. The album’s title in itself begs a frightening question – “who’ll eat who up?”. The accompanying cover art imagery, by Danish illustrator John Kenn Mortensen, with depictions of creatures that – depending on the beholder – might be viewed as friendly or menacing, only amplifies the sense of reverie. Like all good pieces of art, it incites more questions than formulates answers.
The Potsdam-based brothers Sebastian and Daniel Selke have, throughout their career, been employing themes surrounding their Communistera, East German heritage. From modern classical to jazz to electronic music, CEEYS invites 10 contemporary composers to share their musical impressions by reworking tracks of HAUSMUSIK on MUSIKHAUS. To name a few: Neue Meister colleague, Marina Baranova gave her own major melody to CEEYS' harmonies making her interpretation of the piece Circa one half-CEEYS' evocative mood and one halfBaranova twist with the pianist's unique touch. Singer-songwriter Mara Simpson adds her haunting voice and poignant lyrics, 'We keep the pieces to build better, to build hope brick by brick' to the soft, repetitive backdrop of 'Yes, brick by brick' embracing the meaning of the original composition. Erased Tape's electronic-music composer, Ben Lukas Boysen builds around Fallen's repetitive and tense motif, adding an ascending energy and instrumentation to the composition which stretches it to new planes of emotion.
SOL is the first solo work by the Luxembourg percussionist, composer and vibraphonist Pascal Schumacher. Already in his childhood, he chose the vibraphone as an exotic and fascinating instrument, as it's shiny plates and step-shaped tubes sound metallic and, at the same time, soft and ethereal when struck with a mallet. A trance-like state is created in the listener, whom Schumacher skillfully abducts from everyday life through filigree played original compositions and covers by Chilly Gonzales, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Jarvis Cocker, and Mike Oldfield. SOL is a unique sound spectacle.
German Pianist Kai Schumacher is a true wanderer between the musical worlds: Classically trained to perfection, he has always been digging into other genres and styles, reaching from post-rock to techno and ambient music in a way that has not been heard before. When you think a song is already perfect and nobody should even dare to touch it, Schumacher comes in and magnifies it's beauty with his beautiful arrangements; his version of Moderat's "New Error" has been an enormous success all over the internet and is requested at every concert he plays. And now he is taking his talent one step further: over the last months, he has been writing his very personal compositions - minimal, rhythmical, addictive pieces that will leave you wanting more.
Pianist and composer Marina Baranova released her album Hypersuites on Berlin Classics in August 2016. "My Hypersuites are acoustic remixes of baroque masters," says the artist. For her project, she selected compositions by four Baroque composers - Couperin, J. S. Bach, Rameau and Handel - and combined individual pieces by these composers to create four suites of her own. The result of this exploration is a new Gesamtkunstwerk, a modern "mixed tape": Hypersuites. Baroque music of the 21st century. For Hypersuites, recorded on a modern Steinway grand piano in the Berlin Teldex studio, Marina Baranova has invited a special guest: Composer and pianist Hauschka created a remix of Rameau's La Poule. The result is a piece that mirrors baroque and electronic music. What if this idea is taken a step further? Marina Baranova is a classical concert pianist who has her musical roots not only in classical music but also in jazz. However, her interests go much further. The idea for Hypersuites came to her during a DJ session. She thought that scratches are basically the modern form of baroque musical embellishments. So nothing could be more obvious than to give the Hypersuites another musical color: Electronic arrangements of Baranova's version for solo instrument. How do DJs, contemporary composers and musicians interpret baroque music? How modern is baroque music, and how can it be transferred into the present day? Not just remixes, but an independent piece of music should be created, with an individual signature without any specifications or restrictions. Who takes part? Hauschka created a 6-minute version of Rameau's La Poule for Hypersuites Reloaded. The musician is known for his "prepared piano" and film scores, but new projects are also leading him more towards classical music with orchestras and chamber ensembles. The composers, producers and musicians John Kameel Farah, Damian Marhulets, Humboldt, Kostia Rapoport, Jannis Block, Anton Berman and Raz Ohara can also be heard with their own remixes. Marina has also created her own remix, which is not just a remix, but offers yet another unique approach to Bach's Siciliano.
The piano duo Jonas Hain & Robert Gromotka are joined by cello and violin for added depth and color in this new release. It is a concept album exploring human relationships and the invisible spaces between two people, blending neoclassical clarity with cinematic intensity, creating emotionally resonant soundscapes. Each composition captures moments of closeness, distance, and reflection. For fans of Nils Frahm, Max Richter, and Ólafur Arnalds - intimate, poetic, and moving.
Shaped by fragments and moments of improvisation, the Noctunes are the personal take on the tradition of the Nocturnes?. This album contains a series of pieces dedicated to the quiet hours of the night?. Composer and pianist Clemens Christian Poetzsch is recognized for his unique blend of modern classical, jazz, and electronic music. He studied piano at the Hochschule fur Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden, earning his artistic diploma in 2010, followed by composition studies under Thomas Zoller.
Shaped by fragments and moments of improvisation, the Noctunes are the personal take on the tradition of the Nocturnes?. This album contains a series of pieces dedicated to the quiet hours of the night?. Composer and pianist Clemens Christian Poetzsch is recognized for his unique blend of modern classical, jazz, and electronic music. He studied piano at the Hochschule fur Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden, earning his artistic diploma in 2010, followed by composition studies under Thomas Zoller.
The first and upcoming album by Levi. Sct aka Levi Schechtmann on the Neue Meister label presents a distinctive fusion of classical piano and modern hip-hop elements?. The album seamlessly blends classical piano compositions with contemporary hip-hop rhythms, showcasing Schechtmann's unique approach to music?. This release marks a significant milestone in Schechtmann's career, reflecting his growth as a composer and pianist who transcends traditional genre boundaries?. Levi. Sct is a piano influencer with more than 1. 8 Mio followers on his social media channels?
