Metamorphosis

Robert Stiegler, Tolib Shakhidi, Emanuel Schulz, Can Aksel Akin

The CD "Metamorphosis" combines two major aspects of the Chamber Music Festival Allegro Vivo. On the one hand it reflects the traditional custom of Allegro Vivo whereby contemporary composers are assigned to compose works for the opening concerts every year. In this manner not only are they provided the stage and the audience for the debut of their works, but also the composition of contemporary music for a particular purpose and in a special context is promoted. Robert Stiegler and Tolib Shakhidi composed their works especially for the 25th anniversary of Allegro Vivo; their debut performances took place in 2003 and 2004. Emanuel Schulz's "Puja Trinity"was first performed in 2005, and Can Aksel Akin's "Arar" in 2006. On the other hand it exemplifies the crossing of musical borders; ideally to learn and profit from one another, or to create something new as in Emanuel Schulz's "Puja Trinity" where Indian and European musical elements successfully blend together.
This CD introduces the works of four contemporary composers from Austria, Tajikistan and Turkey. Each
work is of unique character. In Can Aksel Akin's "Arar" one hears the "Ney", an instrument used in Persian,
Arabic and Turkish Music. Tolib Shakhidi's Concerto Grosso for Violin, Santur and Orchestra sounds unusual to listeners used to European music. Distinctive and elaborate patterns of harmony are heard in Robert Stiegler's Concert for Violin and Orchestra. Improvisation, Indian scales, and the synthesis of western and eastern elements characterise Emanuel Schulz's composition.