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FRANK GRATKOWSKI & ELISABETH HARNIK Bullungga
Elisabeth Harnik, an Austrian based pianist and composer has created a multi-faceted body of work by blurring genre boundaries through various collaborations in the field of improvised music, interdisciplinary projects and contemporary compositional works. She studied classical piano and later – with Beat Furrer – composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Graz. As an improviser she works within an electro-acoustic inspired sound-world, using specific preparations and extended techniques while pushing the limitations of the piano. Amongst others she has collaborated with Frank Gratkowski, Dave Rempis & Michael Zerang, Joelle Leandre and Ken Vandermark. Frank Gratkowski was born in hamburg in 1963 and studied saxophone in Cologne. Apart from being a soloist in many ensembles, he also performs solo. In 1995 he founded the Frank Gratkowski Trio which since 2000 has been expanded to a quartet. In 2020, Gratkowski performed duos with Elisabeth Harnik both at Klangspuren festival in Austria as well as the Loft in Cologne, Germany. The tracks off this album were recorded there and were mastered in 2021 for CD release. Full tracklist: 1. Bullungga 2. Ngununy 3. Wirriga 4. Gulamany 5. Wubin 6. Marrayagong 7. Wali 8. Berlenggoorng 9. Kuungurrun. Price: € 18,-/copy incl. worldwide shipping.
Hört man diese CD, so bleibt nichts anderes zu konstatieren, als dass es sich beim Zusammenfinden dieser beiden Musiker-innen um einen ausgesprochenen Glücksfall handelt. Denn das hier Vorliegende mundet ganz hervorragend. Das ist zeitgenössische Duo-Improvisation allerhöchster Klasse.
(Freistil, January 2022)
The music is freely improvised and captures these gifted improvisers at their best. Harnik employs preparations and extended techniques while pushing the piano into otherworldly terrains. Gratkowski alternates between alto sax to soprano sax, clarinet and bass flute. Their dynamics are immediate, deep and poetic, as Gratkowski and Harnik are highly imaginative and bold sonic explorers-painters, masters of their instruments. Gratkowski and Harnik are always searching for new and unpredictable sonic territories, with mischievous playfulness, captivating energy and touching lyricism, great sense of form and structure and deep listening. A perfect showcase of free improvisation.
(Free Jazz Blog, June 2024)
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