Duo bandoneon-harp
Anna Steinkogler &
Valentin Butt
From the very first moment they made music together, bandoneonist Valentin Butt and harpist Anna Steinkogler felt a strong musical bond, and the exciting desire to create something powerful, enthralling and intensely emotional together. Since then they have continued to develop new perspectives together.
True musicianship and dedication are the key to their own compelling arrangements. They are certainly not looking for imitation, but the creation of new colours, friction and tension. The differences between the personality of both musicians and instruments seem to blend into each other on stage, yet they manage to maintain both extremes at all times. Their music is an organic and refreshing take on the encounter of the well-known and the new.
Harp and bandeon — a perfect combination?
The answer certainly is ‘Yes!’ Who wouldn’t be surprised to find out how soft a bandoneon can actually sound, and that a harp is not limited to playing glissandi?
Whereas most people would assign the attributes dark, compact, earthly and melancholic to the bandoneon without hesitation, and describe the harp as rather filigree, ethereal and oscillating, Anna Steinkogler and Valentin Butt like to switch roles! There is much more to it!
Like two chamelons, they adapt to each other — only to break apart again a few bars later and enjoy the strong contrasts of high and low, gentle and brisk, dark and light. You will come to the conclusion that there is much more these instruments have in common than you thought!
Valentin Butt — Vita
Valentin Butt, born in Saint Petersburg, studied at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin. He was awarded several prizes in national and international competitions and is a regular guest at festivals all over the world. He has worked with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra as well as with big theatres in Berlin such as the Schaubühne, Berliner Ensemble and the Deutsches Theater as a musician, composer and musical director. He also participates in radio plays and film music recordings and is a member of several bands such as SkaZka Orchestra, Holler my Dear and Di Meschugeles.
Repertoire (excerpt)
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Audio
Duo flute — harp
Anna Steinkogler &
Liam Mallett
Liam Mallett — Vita
Liam Mallett (flute), born in Whangarei (New Zealand), studied flute at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg im Breisgau, at the Musik-Akademie Basel and at the Universität der Künste Berlin. His main interests are orchestral music, late Romanticism and contemporary music.
Since his studies Liam Mallett has been working as a freelance musician. He has worked with international orchestras such as the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra, the Potsdam Chamber Academy, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the Comic Opera Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Camerata Bern, the Basel Symphony Orchestra and with renowned conductors like Sir Simon Rattle, Christoph Eschenbach, Neeme Järvi and Gustavo Dudamel.
As a chamber musician, soloist and lecturer he has given concerts in America, Mexico, Ukraine and many European countries. He was a member of the Academy of Komische Oper.
Repertoire (excerpt)
Bartok, Rumänische Volkstänze
Berthomieu, Cinq Nuances
Bizet, Carmen Suite
Couperin, Le Rossignol en Amour
Debussy, En Bateau
Elgar, Salut d’Amour
Fauré, Fantaisie Op. 79
Fauré, Sicilienne
Gotkovsky, Eoliènne
Ibert, Entr’acte
Jongen, Danse Lente
Marais, La Folia
Molnar, Phantasie über japanische Volkslieder
Piazzolla, Histoire du Tango
Rossini, Andante und Variationen
Rust, Sonate
Satie, Gymnopédie
Sibinga, Trois Images
Shankar, L’Aube Enchantée
Takemitsu, Towards the Sea
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Harp duo
Anna Steinkogler &
Lucie Delhaye
Lucie Delhaye and Anna Steinkogler are both convinced that there is still much to be done for their beloved instrument when it comes to promoting the harp beyond well-known cliches. When performing as soloists, both performers were often struck by the audience’s surprised reaction to the harp: there is so much more to it than angelic ethereal sounds!
Repertoire, amplitude, sonority, playing techniques and colours are much more diverse than expected.
Inspired by the many questions they often have to answer after a solo recital, and the positive surprise and interest they awaken in their audience, Lucie Delhaye and Anna Steinkogler set themselves two goals when starting to work together.
On the one hand: playing chamber music at a very high level and enjoying the great possibilities of repertoire that open up when combining two harps, which is like merging two chamber orchestras into one big symphony orchestra.
Repertoire (excerpt)
G.F. Händel: Konzert in B‑Dur
Boccherini: Fandango
Schubert: Serenade / Vier Ländler
Ravel: Ma mère l’Oye
Granados: Spanischer Tanz Nr. 5
Andres: Parvis
Debussy: Clair de Lune
Debussy: Danses sacrée et profane
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BEHIND THE SCENES
AUF der Bühne zu stehen ist fantastisch — ein Augenblick gebündelter Energie! Und nur ein Teil meines Lebens als Harfenistin. Das WIE und all die anderen Dinge, die nicht im Scheinwerferlicht stattfinden, beleuchte ich in diesem Newsletter!