zeitkratzer plays PRES Polish Radio Experimental Studio

CD, E503 Bold Records, 12-page multifolded insert, digipack, duration: 73:32
arranged and performed by zeitkratzer

zeitkratzer directed by Reinhold Friedl
Hayden Chisholm < saxophone || Hild Sofie Tafjord < french horn || Hilary Jeffery < trombone || Reinhold Friedl < piano || Marc Weiser < guitar || Maurice de Martin < percussion || Burkhard Schlothauer < violin || Anton Lukoszevieze < violoncello || Ulrich Phillipp < double bass || Ralf Meinz < sound ||

recorded live at Sejny, Poland, September 5, 2010; mixed by Martin Wurmnest, produced by Michal Libera and Reinhold Friedl

Polish Radio Experimental Studio (PRES) is the first official series of CD releases dedicated to the music produced in the legendary Studio. Established in 1957 by Józef Patkowski, it was among the first institutions of that kind in the world with only Paris, Cologne and Milano preceding the Warsaw one. Despite that, unlike their foreign colleagues who quickly became the most important figures of the XX century music, Polish composers working in the Studio are known only to a limited number of insiders. Yet, as Reinhold Friedl, leader of zeitkratzer points out, "the pieces give the impression of an artistic approach which has never been as strict or ideologically restricted as German electronic music or French concrete music. It seems to me that none of the musicians connected with this studio have had the tendency to limit him/herself to "electroacoustic music", rather they all have a natural and holistic approach to composing". This is why the releases give us opportunity to revisit our historical ideas of XX century music with a fresh and inspiring insight.

Instrumental versions of the pieces from Polish Radio Experimental Studio arranged by probably the most unusual ensembles of contemporary music - zeitkratzer. International virtuoso group is specialized in this kind of provocative approach to electronic music. Taking as starting point the fact that instrumental techniques are indebted in electronic music, zeitkratzer proves that what in the 60. was possible only thanks to recording studios, nowadays can be played live, on violins and pianos. This is exactly what happen on 4th of September in Sejny's White Synagogue, where the premiere of the repertoire took place. After listening to hours of compositions from the Studio, musicians have selected six of them to be reinterpreted for the concert. They represent different stages of Studio's history and were prepared for instrumental covers by zeitkratzer during its members stay in Residential Arts Centre in Wigry. Now the selected six compositions are presented as a CD album.