The instrumental trio Birds of Vienna, featuring accordionist and pianist Heidelinde Gratzl, cellist Melissa Coleman, and guitarist Helmut Jasbar, calls their music 'Acoustic Chamber Pop'.
Interpretation
Helmut Jasbar, the guitarist on this album, approached Franz Schubert's music in a non-intellectual way after engaging with themes of desire and death wish, finding a 'brave sort of vulnerability' in the composer.
Compositional Technique
Franz Schubert's Ländler, of which there are over 400, are described as casual, volatile notes of small dance pieces, often hastily written and not highly regarded by Schubert himself.
Performer Biography
The Birds of Vienna ensemble was founded in 1997 as a loose chamber music formation and has been performing in its current lineup since 2012.
Interpretation
The Ländler on this album are interpreted as 'fragile miniatures, full of melancholy, modern in their volatile, sketch-like air and closer to the Japanese Haiku than to actual dance,' rather than simple entertainment music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The ensemble Birds of Vienna chose their name because, like the birds, they reside in Vienna but live their own lives with their own view of the city, appearing independent yet belonging to a special place.
