
Michael Wertmüller - die zeit. eine gebrauchsanweisung. [time. a user's
manual.] / Entleibung [Decorporeal] (Part 1, Part 3) (compositions) (03.2004)
The compositions of Michael Wertmüller, as diverse as they may
be, can all be seen as contributing to solving the problem, how does density
originate? Density – mediated as energy, brute force, loudness,
tempo, etc – results here from extremely gracefully built structures
that are folded into each other, linked, and associated such that they
result in a great whole.
But the graceful build is not exhausted in the compositions, but only
elevated. It is audible all along as a trace, as a necessity (as reason,
cause). Wertmüller plays out this dialectic of fragility in these
compositions to its completion. This is meant literally: his music is
derived from a sheer inexhaustible richness, but despite all its aggression,
it also has an audibly luxurious character.
The 35-year-old Wertmüller played for years as the drummer in the
Swiss Free Core/12-tone Death Metal band Alboth!. As an improvising musician
he can be heard with Peter Brötzmann and Stephan Wittwer. His compositions
are performed all over the world. die zeit. eine gebrauchsanweisung was
premiered during the Donaueschingen Festival for New Music in 2001 by
the chamber ensemble Neue Musik Berlin (the soloists were Stephan Wittwer
and Mark Trayle). Entleibung was performed live and manipulated by the
European String Quintet and Alex Buess on live electronics in December
2002 in Bern, Switzerland.
After a half a dozen CDs wit Alboth! and several improv recordings with
Peter Brötzmann and Stephan Wittwer (W2, GROB 204), this is the first
recording that presents Wertmüller as a composer. Further recordings
will follow.
Michael Wertmüller
(also on
GROB204)
back to GROB catalog
GROB546 Walter/ Drumm/ Lonberg-Holm - Eruption