Ensemble Musikfabrik

ensemble reflektor / David Orlowsky / Katharina Wincor

In this concert, clarinettist David Orlowsky is both soloist and composer. Together with ensemble reflektor, he premieres his own clarinet concerto »Shadow Dancer«, which was inspired by a quote from the famous psychiatrist C. G. Jung: »Anyone who perceives his shadow and his light simultaneously sees himself from two sides and thus gets in the middle.«

Ensemble Resonanz / Abel Selaocoe / Saerom Park

South African cellist Abel Selaocoe redefines the parameters of the cello and combines virtuoso skills with improvisation, singing and body percussion. He has found an ideal ally in Ensemble Resonanz, which also enthusiastically explores innovative and new paths in its concerts, sometimes as the Ensemble in Residence of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and sometimes in the chamber music club it founded itself in the Hamburg district of St Pauli. Together they move through worlds, genres and eras – until they arrive together in the future. In »Silent Woods« by Antonín Dvořák, the leaves rustle in the wind with four celli. »When We Were Trees« by Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima takes us through the seasons in a true sound adventure with a mix of different styles – sometimes classical, sometimes folkloristic, sometimes percussive, sometimes meditative. Kate Moore contributes a new composition for cello and Selaocoe’s voice.

Ensemble Resonanz / Abel Selaocoe / Saerom Park

South African cellist Abel Selaocoe redefines the parameters of the cello and combines virtuoso skills with improvisation, singing and body percussion. He has found an ideal ally in Ensemble Resonanz, which also enthusiastically explores innovative and new paths in its concerts, sometimes as the Ensemble in Residence of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and sometimes in the chamber music club it founded itself in the Hamburg district of St Pauli. Together they move through worlds, genres and eras – until they arrive together in the future. In »Silent Woods« by Antonín Dvořák, the leaves rustle in the wind with four celli. »When We Were Trees« by Italian cellist and composer Giovanni Sollima takes us through the seasons in a true sound adventure with a mix of different styles – sometimes classical, sometimes folkloristic, sometimes percussive, sometimes meditative. Kate Moore contributes a new composition for cello and Selaocoe’s voice.

Ensemble Resonanz / Nils Mönkemeyer / William Youn / Riccardo Minasi

»This Mozart is rock ’n’ roll«, said the NDR about the recording of the last three Mozart symphonies by Ensemble Resonanz under its Principal Guest Conductor Riccardo Minasi. Symphony No. 35 »Haffner« is now on the programme with this level of energy. In addition, Nils Mönkemeyer on the viola and William Youn on the piano explore fragments from Mozart’s pen. The programme ends with Mozart’s symphony in all its elegance, preceded by his thoughts in the form of sketches and fragments, arranged by Isabel Mundry: melodies to whistle along to, a charming minuet, a presto with verve and a rapturous gesture. The casual overture by his contemporary Marianna von Martines invites us into the salon of the 18th century, while in a new chamber concerto Manfred Trojahn distils the muted sound of gardens that have become silent.

Ensemble!

Ensemble Resonanz

Why would an ensemble that made its name performing rarities from early and contemporary music then turn to the most successful oratorio of the Baroque? Ensemble Resonanz would presumably answer, »Christmas without the Christmas Oratorio is only half the story. As often as you may have heard or played the piece, you still want to hear or play it again.« The ensemble has been performing its own version of Bach’s Christmas classic for six years now – pared down and with unconventional instrumentation, a little like a concert at home for friends. The concert hall becomes a sitting room, the musicians become a choir, and the work becomes chamber music with Baroque violas, electric guitar and vintage keyboards.

Decoder Ensemble

The Decoder Ensemble is one of the most bold and original representatives of the international New Music scene. With its high-energy sound, the ensemble thrills audiences in prestigious concert halls as well as in clubs such as Berlin’s Berghain. For several years, Decoder hosted the Elbphilharmonie’s »Below Deck« series, in which they presented fascinating performance evenings with a range of very different guest artists.

GURDJIEFF ENSEMBLE

In the early 20th century, Armenian philosopher, mystic, and composer George Gurdjieff traveled widely in the Caucasus, Middle East, Northern Africa, and Asia. He later transformed his experiences of the diverse local musical traditions he encountered into numerous compositions, most of which have only been accessible in piano transcriptions. Led by artistic director Levon Eskenian, the Gurdjieff Ensemble performs these works in new arrangements for traditional instruments, while also highlighting the centuries-old tradition of Armenian ashughs (bards) such as Jivani, Baghdasar Dbir, and Sayat-Nova.

RAMAL ENSEMBLE

The Ramal Ensemble returns to the Pierre Boulez Saal to present a program centered around the idea of real and imaginary journeys. Originally founded in Damascus, the group reassembled in Germany in 2015 and counts several Barenboim-Said Akademie alumni among its members. No strangers to the experience of cultural mobility, the five musicians have cultivated a unique sound and will perform original compositions as well as improvised music. At the Fringe of Time is part of the Ramal Ensemble’s concert series “Creative Music Lab II.” A project of Barzakh gGmbH, supported by the Capital Cultural Fund.

Ensemble Textura