J. Skar: Exhaust/renew

Andsnes, Ingrid; Rimul, Thomas; Ensemble Ernst; Hauge, Gunnar; Lie, Elisabeth Sigrid

Trash perfection! Award-winning Julian Skar has a broad background within both pop music and in the contemporary field. For his debut album as a composer he teams up with Ensemble Ernst and pianist Ingrid Andsnes. The musical elements are created when the composer dissects his own musicality in a conflict between intuition and formalization. The interplay between man and machine – improvisation and sheet music – amplifies the notion of a battle between chaos and order. The album title also relates to this; rebirth after destruction or exhaustion. Skar’s music is complex and intense. He utilizes techniques and rhythmic maneuvers that really puts the musicians to the test – even more so because the underlying demand is pulse and movement! Ensemble Ernst, under the leadership of Thomas Rimul, are at their best under these conditions.

Price: $27.98