“Music, especially so-called new music, thrives on continuous contamination” — that being said, the repertoires and collaborations of zeitkratzer, an ensemble of nine musicians and two technicians, not only overcome genre boundaries but even annihilate them, ranging from Lou Reed or folk songs to Xenakis or noise, and their unique, diverse and superb recording projects have been internationally acclaimed. This is the first performance in Japan of the ensemble that redefines “contemporary music” from the standpoint of players through independent activities.
Three shows might not be enough to introduce even a part of what the zeit-kratzer — time-scraper / scratch of the times — does, but their Tokyo tour should be a rare opportunity to involve two of their collaborators, Keiji Haino and Terre Thaemlitz, who reside near this city.
With two cellists this time, the bass-enhanced zeitkratzer tackles Karlheinz Stockhausen’s “intuitive music” in collaboration with Keiji Haino (premiered at Ruhrtriennale in 2011), the intricate and affluent sonic world of James Tenney, and acoustic interpretation of Terre Thaemlitz’s electronic music that they have been collaborating on since 2000. Strongly recommended to experience all the three nights.
