Incense of Music 60/ The Clarinet Trio

Probably the most striking aspect of the Clarinet Trio's music is the instrumentation: three clarinets pure. No strings, no piano, no percussion. A trio in the classical sense, without concessions to entertainment knick-knacks. No electronics either, or cheap appeals to zeitgeist or whatever lifts the spirit. The three musicians create music of strong atmospheric density. Single long lasting tones appear from nowhere. Playing with the volume, drama can be sensed. Silence. Then again sounds that palpate the silence, but also offer that exact silence the space to it's own unfolding. The music is creatively composed and sensitively improvised. It can also growl, paint sounds and swing melodically. It needs no special effects. It impresses with its creative ideas and masterly playing technique. The Clarinet Trio since 25 years is considered one of the leading woodwind ensembles worldwide. Its CDs today are regarded as classics and genre-establishing. In 2022 the Clarinet Trio released the 6th CD entitled 'Transformations and Further Passages' for its 25th anniversary. It features German Jazz Compositions from the 1950s and 60s. Music by Albert Mangelsdorff, Karl Berger, Rolf and Joachim Kühn, E.L. Petrowsky, Jutta Hipp, Joki Freund, Manfred Schoof and others.

Siberian Pine Resin is derived from the Siberian Pine (Pinus sibirica), a species of pine that grows in the cold regions of Siberia. This resin is known for its unique, soothing scent and its numerous health-promoting properties. Siberian pine resin contains essential oils that have a calming effect on the nervous system and can help promote restful sleep. In traditional folk medicine, it is often used to treat respiratory conditions, coughs, and colds. It is also valued for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The resin has a golden yellow to brown color and is frequently used in the production of natural remedies, salves, tinctures, and aromatherapy products. Its pleasant, resinous aroma is known to have a relaxing effect and is used in incense blends or as an essential oil to improve indoor air quality. Additionally, Siberian pine resin is used in cosmetics to enrich skincare products. Thanks to its versatile uses and positive effects on well-being, Siberian pine resin is a highly valued natural product.

by leo

Incense of Music 59 - Downes/ Stefansson/ Buck

A multisensory concert – Saturday, 11th January 2025, 8 pm

Kit Downes, piano
Thorbjørn Silas Stefansson, bass
Tony Buck, drums

Fabio Dondero (Incense burning): Elemi

Experience an unforgettable evening of experimental jazz as Kit Downes (piano), Thorbjørn Silas Stefansson (bass), and Tony Buck (drums) come together for an intimate and atmospheric performance at Panda Platforma. These three internationally renowned musicians will guide you through an immersive sonic journey, blending intricate improvisations with deep, meditative soundscapes. As part of this unique concert, the burning of Elemi incense will fill the air. Elemi, a resin derived from tropical trees, has been used for centuries for its calming and spiritual properties. With its fresh, citrusy, and slightly balsamic scent, Elemi enhances the atmosphere, creating a perfect setting for this deep musical exploration. This event is not recommended for people who are sensitive to smoke.

PANDA Platforma in der Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97, 10435 Berlin

Kit Downes is a BBC Jazz Award winning, Mercury Music Award nominated solo recording artist for ECM Records. He has toured the world playing piano, church organ and harmonium with his own bands (‘ENEMY’, ‘Troyka’ and ‘Elt’) as well as with artists such as Squarepusher, Bill Frisell, ‘Empirical‘, Andrew Cyrille, Sofia Jernberg, Benny Greb, Mica Levi and Sam Amidon. Kit performs solo pipe organ and solo piano concerts – as well as playing in collaborations with saxophonist Tom Challenger, cellist Lucy Railton, composer Shiva Feshareki, saxophonist Ben van Gelder and with the band ‘ENEMY’ (with Petter Eldh and James Maddren). He is also currently working with violinist Aidan O’Rourke, drummer Seb Rochford, composer Max de Wardener and in the organ trio ‘Deadeye’ with Reinier Baas and Jonas Burgwinkel. He has written commissions for Cheltenham Music Festival, London Contemporary Orchestra, Biel Organ Festival, Ensemble Klang at ReWire Festival, the Scottish Ensemble, Cologne Philharmonie and the Wellcome Trust. He also performed as part of the National Theatre production of ‘Network’ from 2017-2018, featuring actor Bryan Cranston. He has performed solo organ concerts at the Elb Philharmonie in Hamburg, Lausanne Cathedral, Flagey in Brussels, the Royal Albert Hall in London as well as the Southbank Royal Festival Hall, Rochester Jazz Festival (US), St Olafs Minneapolis (US), Stavanger Konserthus, Aarhus Philharmonic Musikhuset, Darmstadt Organ Festival, Stuttgart Organ Festival, Laurenskerke in Rotterdam, Orgelpark in Amsterdam, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at Berlin Jazz Festival, and the BBC Proms amongst many others. He holds a fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he himself studied and now teaches. He has twice been awarded 1st place in Downbeat’s Critics Poll Rising Star for Organ and Keyboard categories respectively, and his ECM records ‘Obsidian‘, ‘Dreamlife of Debris‘ and ‘Vermillion‘ have been released to much critical acclaim.

Tony Buck is regarded as one of Australia’s most creative and adventurous exports, with vast experience across the globe. As a drummer, percussionist, improviser, guitarist, video maker and producer, he has been involved in a highly diverse array of projects but is probably best known around the world as a member of the trio “The Necks”. Apart from The Necks he has played, toured or recorded with Jon Rose, Otomo Yoshihide, John Zorn, T. Cora, Phil Minton, Haino, Even Parker, The Machine for Making Sense, Lee Ranaldo, Ne Zhdall, The EX, Clifford Jordan, Ground Zero … Following studies and early experience in Australia he spent time in Japan, where he formed “Peril” with Otomo Yoshihide and Kato Hideki before relocating to Europe in the mid-nineties. Some of the more high profile projects he has been involved with include the band Kletka Red, and touring and recording with, among others, The EX, The Exiles, and Corchestra, and involvement with most of the international improvisation and new music community and festivals. He also creates video works for use with live music performance and has had pieces shown in Tokyo, Belfast, Berlin, New York and Sydney. Current projects include a LIVE solo adaption of the UNEARTH music, incorporating installations, video, drums and guitar; “Spill” with Magda Mayas; “Transmit” (a guitar driven post-rock project); New York based trio “Glacial” (with David Watson and Lee Ranaldo); “Circadia” (with Kim Myhr, David Stackenas and Joe Williamson); a long standing duo with Axel Doerner as well as a continuing in ad hoc and improvised performance settings.

Thorbjørn Stefansson, a renowned double bassist and composer, is widely recognized as a versatile artist within the European improvised music scene. He is an integral part of both the Danish and German jazz scenes and has collaborated with numerous national and international artists. Thorbjørn is involved in several projects and released the debut album with the trio Dream Big Fish in 2024. Other releases include "Sun Ark" (2024), "Nissen Mosh - Precious" (2022), and "Rasmus Holm Quartet - Fatamorgana" (2021). In 2021, he received the JIB-Jazz-Prize for "Outstanding Soloist". Thorbjørn has toured in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the USA, performing at internationally acclaimed jazz festivals, as well as appearing live on radio broadcasts such as Radio Brandenburg Berlin (RBB), Deutschlandfunk Kultur, P8 Jazz, and Radio Jazz Denmark.

Elemi is a fragrant resin obtained from trees in the Canarium genus, native to tropical regions, particularly in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. It has been used for centuries in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. Elemi resin has a fresh, lemony, and slightly spicy scent with balsamic undertones. It is often described as both uplifting and calming, making it ideal for use in rituals or meditation. Known for its healing and purifying properties, Elemi has also been applied in aromatherapy to promote mental clarity, reduce stress, and aid in emotional balance. In ancient times, it was used in ointments and embalming practices, similar to myrrh and frankincense. Its soft, sticky texture is often used in making incense, where its rich, grounding aroma creates a soothing and spiritual atmosphere.

by leo

Incense of Music 57 - Anissegos, Bacikin

A multisensory concert – Thursday, 24th October 2024, 8 pm

Damir Bačikin, trumpet
Antonis Anissegos, piano
Fabio Dondero (Incense burning): laurel, Kyphi

Location: PANDA Platforma in der Kulturbrauerei, Knaackstr. 97, 10435 Berlin

You are cordially invited to PANDOMIMA with Damir and Antonis, a unique synthesis of contemporary music, modern jazz, and Slavic sounds. Experience melodies that are both memorable and infinite, in an evening filled with diverse musical influences that transcend boundaries. This multisensory event will feature incense burning during the concert, adding laurel and kyphi to the immersive atmosphere, blending the aromatic richness of ancient rituals with the refreshing essence of victory and purification. Incense appeals to one of the most neglected senses in our modern times: the olfactory. It affects the human spirit, influences our perception, and invites new experiences and emotions. These qualities inspire “Incense of Music” to combine this ancient art with music in a synesthetic project and engage the senses. For guests who are particularly sensitive to smoke, this event is not recommended. Join us for an unforgettable night that should not be missed!

Damir Bačikin

Damir Bačikin has firmly established himself as a versatile and accomplished trumpet player in Berlin. With a career spanning over 25 years, he captivates audiences with his unique and recognizable sound. From solo performances of new music to playing in classical chamber ensembles and orchestras, Damir continues to impress listeners with his unique sound. Originally from Serbia, Damir is a two-time winner of the Serbian national trumpet competition. In 2005, he moved to Berlin to study under Professor William Forman at the “Hans Eisler” Institute. His rigorous training and dedication have shaped him into the distinguished musician he is today. Damir has been a prominent figure in the field of new music for over 15 years. He has collaborated with esteemed composers such as Helmut Lachenmann, Vinko Globokar, György Kurtág, Fabian Levy, Daniel Ott among others. Playing as a member of the ensemble Unitedberlin (since 2009), he has performed over 100 concerts under the artistic direction of Vladimir Jurowski, both as Artist in Residence for the New music at the Konzerthaus Berlin and at various international festivals. During his student and early career freelancing years Damir collaborated on various recording projects, concert productions and the tours with the Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop, KNM Berlin, Zafraan ensemble Berlin, Stegreif Orchestra, but also with the international sound artists such as Matthew Herbert (UK), Ari Benjamin Mayers (USA), Rashad Newsome (USA), among others. Among the regular tours in Europe, Damir has played on the Tours in the US and Asia. Damir's latest performance as the soloist and his debut on German National Radio (Deutschlandradio Kultur) in late 2023 received high praise from the New Music Magazine Germany (Neue Musikzeitung), which described his rendition of Ligeti’s "Mysteries of the Macabre" as “breathtaking” and “stunningly theatrical.” Earlier, in year 2022, he performed the solo recital for the trumpet at the New Music Concert series “Unerhörte Musik” in Berlin, where critics wrote, “Ingenious wind players in the BKA theater…” and “Bačikin ignites with virtuosity…”, playing his own composition "EARWORM!" ( funded by the Berlin Senate, "Arbeitsstipendium" 2022), among the other new music composers of the German scene. Beyond solo performances, Damir frequently appears as a guest trumpeter with numerous prestigious orchestras. His most recent, three years collaboration as a principal trumpet player, was with the Radio Symphonic Orchestra Berlin. Some of his most cherished projects was in Gérard Grisey’s "Les espaces acoustiques", following is the opening of the Musikfest Berlin with the "Ais"  Iannis Xenakis at the Berlin Philharmonic, and the orchestral Tour to the Enescu Festival appearing in the "World best Orchestras" category, conducted by Vladimir Jurowski. In Spring 2024, Damir won the trumpet audition for the Symphonic wind Orchestra with the Bundespolizei Berlin and he is very excited to join them in the fall this yer, since the Symphonic wind music is one of his favorite. This new chapter in his career promises to bring more exciting performances and opportunities to showcase his exceptional talent.

https://www.damirbacikin.com/

Antonis Anissegos

Antonis Anissegos, based since 1998 in Berlin, is working as a composer, pianist (interpreter/improviser) and electronic musician (alias “unu”). In 2024 he started the trio Air, Bee & Tree, with Dan Peter Sundland (el. bass) and Daniel Schröteler (drums) and also the duo aNo with the vocal artist and electronic musician Alex Nowitz. Among his current projects are: Trio IAMA (w/ Jannis Anissegos, Maria Anissegou), ΣΩΜΑ (w/ Thymios Atzakas), best before unu (w/ bestbefore), Grix (w/ Floros Floridis, Yorgos Dimitriadis), Card Castle (w/ Mike Majkowski, Christian Marien), NPC (w/ Oliver Potratz, Ivars Arutyunyan). Collaboration with the Berliner Ensemble (2018), the Neuköllner Oper (2017), Novoflot (since 2017) and the theatre ensemble “Werkgruppe 2” in Braunschweig (2015). Since 2015 a frequent guest of the Ensemble Adapter. Since 2014 member of Dine Doneff’s “Lost Anthropology” and Silke Eberhard’s “Potsa Lotsa Plus”. In 2013, concerts with Gebhard Ullmann’s “Berlin Suite” and a Japan Tour with ΣΩΜΑ & Shoji Hano.  In 2012 he performed with the Deutsche Kammerakademie Neuss the solo part of Ali N. Askin’s prepared piano concerto. Since 2012 he is participating at the New Music Days in Ulm. He is a member of the European Music Project & Ensemble Junge Musik and he has worked for many years together with the violinist Julius Schwahn, the violinist Biliana Voutchkova and the cellist Maria Magdalena Wiesmaier. Member of the dance ensemble “adLibdances” (Katerina Papageorgiou aka Kat Vàlastur, 2007-2011). Since 2006 he is performing together with the butoh-dancer Yuko Kaseki as duo KAYA with many appearances in Germany, Switzerland and Greece. Their common dance-music piece “Umbra” in collaboration with the Theater Thikwa received many performances in 2009/10. Together with the video artist Erika Matsunami he presented in Kyoto Art Center (Japan) a workshop and the performance “rasenjou no jikan / deflection” (April 2005). Their duo OIO worked together till 2009 with performances in  Berlin (Transmediale, Haus der Kulturen der Welt), Wuppertal, Venice (Biennale), Seoul (Exis Festival), Barcelona. Many concerts with the Taner Akyol Trio, the Kemal Dinc Ensemble and various projects with Nicolas Simion and Jürgen Grözinger over the last decade. Since the summer of 2006 he is holding an Improvisation Workshop at the Music Village in Agios Lavrentios in Greece. His Amoebas- and Lynx-recordings were awarded the “Studio Prize 2001 & 2005” from the Berlin Senat. In autumn 2002 he was also awarded the “Composition 2002” from the Berlin Senat for “Stirrings Still”, a work for chamber ensemble and voice, based on the last text by S. Beckett. In march 2003, his Berliner band was invited for concerts at the Tongyeong-International-Musicfestival in South Korea. In 2000, Mr. Anissegos won 1st price in the Neuköllner Oper Berlin Composition Competition, which uncluded a commission for a full length chamber opera with 15 performances (“Hundeherz”, by M. Bulgakow). He began studying the piano at the age of 7. In 1991, he received his Diploma in Piano Performance at State Conservatory of Thessaloniki (class of Eleni Xenariou). He continued piano (A. Laszlo) and composition (G. Orban) studies at the Ferenc Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1991-93 he collaborated with Manos Hadjidakis, who also offered him commissions for new compositions. From 1992 to 1995, he studied composition (K. Schwertzig) in Vienna and in Cologne (K. Meyer) from 1995 to 1997. During this time he studied also jazz piano with John Taylor. He received his compotition diploma in 1997, and continued post-graduate studied (W. Zimmermann) at the Berlin Academy (UdK), where he received his degree in 2002. Within the student period he took part in master classes by György Ligeti, Zoltan Kocsis, Imre Rohnmann, Pierre Laurent-Aimard, György Kurtag and Lev Vlassenko. His solo-, chamber-, orchester- and theatermusic-compositions where performed among others by Ensemble Modern, Ensemble Mosaik, Ensemble Cornucopia, Ensemble Piandaemonium, Ensemble DissonArt, Ensemble LUX:NM, State Orchestra of Thessaloniki, Colour Orchestra of Athens, Magdeburgische Philharmonie, Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Brasov, Württembergische Philharmonie and Youth Orchestra of Thüringen. Concerts in Europe, Asia & America. Record releases of music by John Cage (“Time-Length Pieces”, Gligg records, 2012 & “Time-Length Pieces” on Wergo, 2014). He appears on over 60 recordings mainly in the field of contemporary creative music.

http://www.enstase.com/

by leo

(Deutsch) Incense of Music 56/ Filippou, Lucaciu

We are thrilled to announce a unique and immersive concert experience featuring the exceptional talents of Evi Filippou on vibraphone and Robert Lucaciu on double bass. This special event will be enhanced by the evocative fragrances of frankincense from Somalia and Oman, creating an exquisite multisensory journey. This event is not recommended for people who are sensitive to smoke.

Incense appeals on the most neglected sense of modern times, the olfactory. It effects the human spirit, influences it’s perception, opens new experiences. These qualities suggest to combine this ancient art, present in any culture, with music in a synesthetic project between listening and smelling, enhancing the experience. 54 concerts, 91 musicians, 13 locations, wood, resin, barks, roots, leaves and flowers from 65 different plants. Until now. Smelling and hearing by their very nature adjust the concrete place of receptive aesthetics into the sensual center of the scene, the human being.

Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia. This ancient substance has been highly valued for its use in incense, perfumes, and traditional medicine. The resin is harvested by making small incisions in the tree bark, allowing the sap to ooze out and harden into beads of frankincense. Known for its rich, earthy aroma with hints of citrus and spice, frankincense has been used in religious and cultural ceremonies for thousands of years. It is believed to possess various therapeutic properties, such as reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and enhancing meditation practices. High-quality frankincense is primarily sourced from regions like Somalia and Oman, where the unique climate and soil conditions contribute to its distinctive fragrance and beneficial qualities.

The dynamic collaboration between the Greek vibraphonist and the German-Romanian double bass player has birthed an artistic partnership that defies the constraints of rigid genre categorizations. Their musical journey is an exploration that draws sustenance from a myriad of sources, ranging from the intricate compositions of 20th and 21st-century classical music to the spirited rhythms of jazz and the evocative tales woven within folklore traditions. This union of sonic exploration transcends the limits of predefined labels, for the essence of their work lies in the realm of boundless creativity.

The intertwining of their unique backgrounds results in an exquisite tapestry of sound, where the vibrancy of balkan heritage converges with the cosmopolitan influence of contemporary european musical landscapes. Like a delicate thread of free improvisation, their performances unfold in an unscripted dance that mirrors the flow of life itself. In this tapestry, notes cascade like rivulets of emotion, merging and diverging, encapsulating moments of sorrow, joy, and the indefinable spaces in between.

The duo's exploration resonates with a shared pursuit of personal expression. In a world colored by their diverse influences, they craft an auditory experience that is both timeless and contemporary—a testament to the way musical traditions and innovations intermingle at the rhythmic core of human experience.

by leo