Vienna Clarinet Connection – Electric Woods

Electric Woods

Artists: Helmut Hödl (cl), Rupert Fankhauser (cl), Hubert Salmhofer (basset horn), Wolfgang Kornberger (bcl)
Guests: Karen Asatrian (keys), Reinhard Winkler (dr)

How high is the likelihood of getting electrocuted by wood? Very high, if you’re talking about the Vienna Clarinet Connection. Velvety clarinet melodies, pulsating basset horn and the straight jazz sound of the bass clarinet are central on the CD “Electric Woods”.
The four horns – Helmut Hödl (clarinet), Rupert Fankhauser (clarinet), Hubert Salmhofer (basset horn) and Wolfgang Kornberger (bass clarinet) – all build on their extensive background in chamber music and instruct at the University of Music in Vienna or the Conservatory of Eisenstadt and Klagenfurt.
The virtuoso mastery of the instruments is, therefore, a given and the racing passages are the evidence. Maximum technical ability and the power to exploit all the sounds the instruments can offer are one aspect of this music. In addition to that is a refreshing lightness that knows no limits. Whether soft, expressive, pop or jazz, the interactive joy of the beautiful tones is what dominates.
The self-composed music is subtly woven with original effects that allude to southeast European folklore or Argentinean tango. They got themselves jazz reinforcement from Karin Asatrian (keyboards/synth) and Reinhardt Winkler (drums). And on top of the homogenous ensemble sound of the horns with their clever arrangements, the expressiveness of improvisation is added.
Unusual, catchy, electrifying!