Die schönsten und bekanntesten deutschen Choräle, Kirchen- und Weihnachtslieder werden durch das Zwiegespräch von Klavier und Saxophon gekonnt in einer Symbiose von Tradition und Improvisation eingebettet.

Die CD "Spiritual Standards", welche bei dem renomierten Label "Jazzline" erschienen ist, wurde mit Komplimenten Überschüttet und war als eines der wenigen deutschen Alben der letzten Jahre in den Jazz-Charts unter den Top 20, einen Platz hinter dem legendären "Officium" - Album von Jan Garbarek und dem Hillard-Ensemble.

Jan von Klewitz und Markus Burger arbeiten schon seit einem Jahrzehnt in verschiedenen Projekten zusammen und sind längst ein fester Bestandteil der deutschen Musikszene.

Selten ist christliche Musik so zeitgemäß und mit so tiefempfundenen Respekt interpretiert worden wie von Burger und Klewitz.

 

The most well known chorals, church hymns and old German Christmas carols stand as the foundation for one of the most exciting musical projects of the 1990s. Critically acclaimed German jazz performers Jan von Klewitz and Markus Burger blend modern improvisation with the art of interpreting baroque music while preserving its integrity in Spiritual Standards.

 

"Since the traditional notation of church hymns was always used by organists to improvise-even in the middle ages- we are reviving this concept which is very close to the principles of jazz", Burger said in an recent interview.

 

Staying very near to the original melodies and canti firmi, the artists improvise in a linear manner as opposed to improvising over the harmonic structure, returning to one of the root principles of jazz. Their choice of tunes shows that these old songs are true standards, able to compete with today's best rock and soul ballads in emotional strength.

 

Both of the musicians have been brought up in the Christian tradition, with first-hand

exposure to this music. Jan von Klewitz's grandfather is none other than the world famous Lutheran minister, Martin Niemoeller.

 

The "Spiritual Standards" CD finished 19th in the German charts, right behind the acclaimed "Officium" album by Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble.

The duo has toured through Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Poland and the US.

Both musicians play an important role in Germany's contemporary music scene and received the coveted Bach 2000 award in the German city of Erfurt, for their innovative arrangement of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

 

 

Das neue Album “Quarta” ist erhältlich auf unsere Tour !!!!!

The new album Quarta is available now !!!