Matthew Sharp, the cellist and baritone in ZRI, has performed worldwide from Glastonbury to Glyndebourne and has given over 60 world premières of new compositions.
Historical Context
The Red Hedgehog coffee house (Zum Roten Igel) in Vienna was a hub of musical life, hosting premieres by Beethoven and Schubert, and later becoming Brahms's favorite haunt.
Album & Artwork
The album title, "Cellar Sessions," and the ensemble's name, ZRI, are inspired by Zum Roten Igel, a legendary 19th-century Viennese coffee house frequented by composers like Brahms and Schubert.
Performer Biography
Ben Harlan, the leader of ZRI, was the on-screen clarinettist in Roman Polanski's film "The Pianist."
Instruments
Iris Pissaride, a member of ZRI, plays the santouri, a traditional hammered dulcimer, and has performed with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.
Interpretation
ZRI's arrangements on this album fuse old-world instruments with contemporary songs by artists like Donna Summer, Solange, and Taylor Swift, reflecting the historical musical melting pot of Vienna.
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