Performs Songs from the Albums "Kraftwerk" and "Kraftwerk 2" Zeitkratzer

• 1 Ruckzuck 07:53
• 2 Spule 4 06:23
• 3 Strom 06:49
• 4 Atem 03:54
• 5 Klingklang 17:29
• 6 Megaherz 09:35
• Total Runtime 52:03

Info for Performs Songs from the Albums "Kraftwerk" and "Kraftwerk 2"

...KRAFTWERK 2' - As KRAFTWERK never re-released these albums, ZEITKRATZER gave its best to cover the first tranche of the songs (second tranche to come...). Recorded in Marseille, France in May 2016, the six tracks reveal a bucolic and even psychedelic aspect of the ensemble that's mostly known (or feared) for its interpretatory and aesthetic acerbity. And yet, there's no doubt that 'Songs From The Albums Kraftwerk And Kraftwerk 2' turned out a true ZEITKRATZER recording in the best and full meaning!

Founded in 1997 by Reinhold Friedl, ZEITKRATZER have since been creating an impressive catalogue of recordings that embraces 20th century avant-garde composers (CAGE, STOCKHAUSEN, LUCIER) as well as electronic artists (CARSTEN NICOLAI, TERRE THAEMLITZ) or underground experimentalists like THROBBING GRISTLE or COLUMN ONE. In their 20th anniversary year, the critically acclaimed ensemble will release a series of diverse albums that will explore new grounds in the typical, adventurous zeitkratzer way – the first of these albums is dedicated to KRAFTWERK and their early, kraut-esque albums “Kraftwerk” and “Kraftwerk 2”. As KRAFTWERK never re-released these albums, ZEITKRATZER gave its best to cover the first tranche of the songs (second tranche to come…).

Frank Gratkowski, flute, clarinet
Elena Kakaliagou, french horn
Hilary Jeffery, trombone
Reinhold Friedl, harmonium, piano
Didier Ascour, guitar
Maurice de Martin, drums
Lisa Marie Landgraf, violin
Burkhard Schlothauer, violin
Elisabeth Coudoux, violoncello
Ulrich Phillipp, double bass
Reinhold Friedl, direction

Recorded live at Festival Les Musiques, Marseille, France, May 22, 2016
Recorded and mixed by Martin Wurmnest
Mastered & cut by Mike Grinser at D&M, Berlin

zeitkratzer
is sound made visible, tangible, bodily – a truly unforgettable corporal experience of live music. The physicality of sound is celebrated through extended instrumental techniques, mutual understanding and amplification of traditional instruments. A midpoint between instrumental and electronic music turns out to be more bizarre and surprising than either of these. It will make you expect more from music than you did before!

zeitkratzer is a perverse subversion of musical genres. Keiji Haino meets Karlheinz Stockhausen meets Whitehouse meets Terre Thaemlitz meets Iannis Xenakis meets Lou Reed. The joy of the intensity of sound crosses all borders and brings these musics together into zeitkratzer's plain of complex textures. A challenge to both composers and non-academic noise-makers thrown by the most talented performers, improvisers, sound artists and composers around.

zeitkratzer is a soloist ensemble. Its strength comes from its members. Founded in 1999, it gathers nine musicians, light and sound engineers living in different European cities from Amsterdam to London to Oslo meeting for working phases in Berlin. zeitkratzer benefits from its musicians ¨C their advanced and unique playing techniques, their acquaintance with electronics and technologies, their hybrid experience and varied backgrounds: new or improvised music, experimental Rock and Pop, Noise, Ambient, Folk Music… Meanwhile, individual awards to zeitkratzer members include the German Jazz Award (Gratkowski), a fellowship at the Kings College Cambridge (Lukoszevieze) and composition commissions from the French state (Friedl).

zeitkratzer is independent from music institutions. The ensemble finances itself through free projects and international concerts. This freedom facilitates an idiosyncratic and ground breaking repertoire that has made zeitkratzer internationally recognized. Faithful only to their own tastes and beliefs, they have established themselves to be one of the most intriguing ensemble to collaborate with. Musicians working with or for zeitkratzer include Helmut Oehring, Keith Rowe (AMM), Radu Malfatti, Nicolas Collins, Jim O’Rourke, Merzbow, John Duncan, Pluramon aka Marcus Schmickler, Bernhard Guenter, Alvin Curran, Lee Ronaldo (Sonic Youth) and Elliott Sharp.

zeitkratzer is driven by unique programs. Blocks of repertoire created by the ensemble can function either separately or mixed up. From Volksmusik of Danube waltz-reminiscences and zither noises to Xenakis [A]Live – a hommage to a great composer with a paraphrase of his “Persepolis”, the Electronics series including music by and with Keiji Haino, Terre Thaemlitz, Carsten Nicolai and William Bennett of Whitehouse, the Old School series dedicated to New Music of John Cage, James Tenney and Alvin Lucier, Noise with Merzbow and Zbigniew Karkowski, idiosyncratic Songs for soprano and ensemble and the famous Metal Machine Music by Lou Reed transcribed from guitar feedbacks to amplified instruments. Tours with these programs has brought zeitkratzer to many European countries where they regularly perform at renowned festivals from Madrid, Rome and London to Vienna, Budapest and Berlin.

zeitkratzer is not worried about preserving the “purity” of New Music. Music, especially so-called new music, thrives on continuous contamination. The idea of „pure taste“ as an independent aesthetic category was revealed by Pierre Bourdieu to be a medium of social distinction. “Thus, pure taste is based on nothing else but a rejection or rather disgust for the objects that ‘force us to enjoy’, such as disgust for such crude, vulgar taste that is also appealing in this forced enjoyment”.

zeitkratzer is serious music turned from stiff to joy!

This album contains no booklet.