Florian Arbenz Conversation

Only a piano trio? Whoever tries to get behind the mystery of the brothers Michael Arbenz and Florian Arbenz as well as the bassist Thomas Lähns with this question has not understood the principle of VEIN yet. The cheerful band concept from Switzerland has always been more than that: a sound surface for provocative color combinations, a testing laboratory of modern music, a vehicle for mutual inspiration, as impressively evidenced by a number of high-profile collaborations with prominent guest musicians such as Greg Osby and Glenn Ferris. As if the three had not already ascended to seemingly unattainable heights with their unorthodox laboratory work on the pieces of the classical composer Maurice Ravel (“VEIN Plays Ravel”; DMCHR 71179), the 13th CD announces another great achievement in which one can take the title literally.

With Convergence, Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz brings together musicians from Cuba, Brazil, Australia & UK to perform music deeply rooted in jazz.

Michael Arbenz has played countless concerts and tours throughout Europe, North America, South America and Asia. He is also a founding member of the Swiss trio VEIN and has worked with Greg Osby, Glenn Ferris, Dave Liebman, Marc Johnson, Wolfgang Puschnig and Andy Sheppard, among others.

Happy 70th birthday, Philippe Herreweghe!
In a series of interviews with Camille De Rijck, Philippe Herreweghe sums up his musical trajectory by offering the reader his reflections, intermingling musical and personal considerations. A selection of archive illustrations to delight the eyes and an updated biography complete the contents of the book, which is published in four languages (English, French, German and Dutch). A five-disc compilation of extracts chosen and discussed by the conductor himself provides an musical counterpoint to the text. The selection enables you to explore a whole life through the finest works of such composers as Lassus, Schein, Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Dvořák and Stravinsky.

Philippe Mall's "Hydra" presents itself in a new, high-profile cast, almost all of the members come from the Basel area. They play only originals by Philippe Mall. The sound gives all four elements plenty of room to unfold their own voice. The vibraphone. in its dual function as a solo and accompaniment instrument plays a very special role. Sometimes earthy jazz comes about, then again there is a lot of room for harmonious, even esoteric sounds. All this mixes into a homogenous body of sound that makes the band unique. The five instruments act like the heads of the Hydra. Sometimes one is missing and already this creates a new structure. A change of sound and dynamics.

Florian Uhlig's epochal project of a real complete recording of Schumann's piano work for two hands is approaching its Finale.

Florian Noack embraces the syncopated vitality of stride, the ironic tenderness of Berlin cabaret, and the poetic brilliance of the avant-garde.

Experience the beauty and depth of Graupner's Complete Cantatas for two sopranos and bass, performed by the Kirchheimer BachConsort under the baton of Florian Heyerick, now available on CPO Records.

Florian Noack embraces the syncopated vitality of stride, the ironic tenderness of Berlin cabaret, and the poetic brilliance of the avant-garde.

Fourteen years ago, the baritone Florian Boesch released a disc devoted to Schumann’s settings of the poet Heinrich Heine.