Janus Ensemble - Sargfabrik - 2026

Sargfabrik - Verein für integrative Lebensgestaltung, Wien

It is important to the Janus Ensemble that sound art does not merely serve as a musical uniform for various social groups - for example as classical music consumption for civil society - but uses its evocative power to reflect on the disturbing signs of our time. All too often, music in the field of tension between the precariat and high culture presents itself as apolitical and merely delivers what is expected of it: the sound to stick your head in the sand.

A special feature of the Janus Ensemble is its focus on works at the interface between new music and jazz. For this evening, the ensemble has chosen three composers whose work plays a special role in precisely this area of tension.

The work of Luna Alcalay, the "grande dame" of serial music in Austria, is in danger of being forgotten. The same applies to the works of Wolfgang Kubizek and Hans Steiner, which were created at a time when non-conformity was a basic principle of artistic creation. All three left their mark on the JANUS Ensemble in its early days and are now to be honored anew with new performances.

Annegret Bauerle - flutes, Elena Arbonies Jauregui - clarinets, Antonia Kapelari - trumpet, flugelhorn, Paquito Ernesto Chiti - horn, Joanna Lewis - violin, Tomas Novak - violin, Simon Schellnegger - viola, Arne Kircher - cello, Tibor Kövesdi - double bass, Simon Raab - piano, Max Kanzler - percussion incl. vibraphone, Christoph Cech - conductor

PROGRAM:
Luna Alcalay (1928-2012): Under the sign of Janus' head
Johann Karl "Hans" Steiner (1962-2021): Bafomed, Against the Rain
Wolfgang R. Kubizek (1959-2008):Tom