Janus Ensemble

The Janus Ensemble believes that musical art should not merely serve as a uniform for various social groups—such as classical music consumption for the citizenry—but rather use its stirring power to reflect on the disturbing signs of our time. Too often, music in the tension between the precariat and high culture presents itself as apolitical, providing only what is expected of it: the soundtrack for burying one’s head in the sand.

A distinctive feature of the Janus Ensemble is its focus on works at the intersection of new music and jazz. For this evening, the ensemble has chosen three composers whose work plays a significant role in this tension.

The work of Luna Alcalay, the "Grande Dame" of serial music in Austria, is at risk of being forgotten. The same applies to the works of Wolfgang Kubizek and Hans Steiner, which were created at a time when nonconformity was a fundamental principle of artistic creation. All three have shaped the JANUS Ensemble in its early days and are now to be newly honored through revivals.

Annegret Bauerle – Flutes, Elena Arbonies Jauregui – Clarinets, Antonia Kapelari – Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Paquito Ernesto Chiti – Horn, Joanna Lewis – Violin, Tomas Novak – Violin, Simon Schellnegger – Viola, Arne Kircher – Cello, Tibor Kövesdi – Double Bass, Simon Raab – Piano, Max Kanzler – Percussion including Vibraphone, Christoph Cech – Conductor

PROGRAM:
Luna Alcalay (1928-2012): In the Sign of the Janus Head
Johann Karl “Hans” Steiner (1962-2021): Bafomed, Against the Rain
Wolfgang R. Kubizek (1959-2008): Tom