PHILHARMONIX – The Vienna Berlin Music Club Vol. 3

Decca (UMO) / Classics / UMG Austria

£12.56

Format: CD
Catalogue No.: 3565344
Barcode: 0602435653440
Release Date: 26 Aug 2022
Genre: Classical

Classical music is not supposed to be fun, right? And yet, every concert of the Philharmonix is a living, grooving, finger-snapping testament to the contrary. And who exactly is having fun here? Is it the seven world-class musicians who get to play the kind of repertoire one would never see on the playbill of their legendary orchestras? Or is it the audience, whose eyes light up at their sparkling display of virtuosity and passion?

The Philharmonix’ sophisticated sense of humor allows them to move seamlessly from the sublime to the ridiculous and back, taking their audience along for a madcap roller-coaster ride… Surprise!! Classical music at its most refined can be a jolly good time. This unique ensemble brings together three members of the Vienna Philharmonic, two Berlin Philharmonic soloists, one of the most versatile Austrian pianists and an improvising and singing violinist for a deliciously heady cocktail of classical, jazz, klezmer, Latin, even pop music … and yes, good old fun. With their signature blend of the “highest philharmonic quality and unrestrained joy of music-making” (Kurier, Austria) Philharmonix are synonymous with “entertainment”. And what is the secret ingredient to the ensemble’s runaway success? What mysterious essence binds together these virtuosos of independent artistic pursuits and individual achievements and awards that are too numerous to mention? That’s right: the Philharmonix come together only if and when they are inspired by a new musical idea. There is not an ounce of routine or obligation in anything they do, and this is how they capture the elusive Holy Grail of today’s classical performance: the “you had to have been there” effect, which turns a casual audience member into a passionate fan. So … who gets to have the most fun? It seems to be everyone within an earshot of this musical feast, which isn’t necessarily classical but has a lot of class.

The third album of the Philharmonix reflects the musical range of the ensemble. 13 new compositions and arrangements move through all musical genres, from classical to swing and folk music to pop. A "Requiem for Falco" as a tribute to the tragically deceased Austrian pop legend, together with an artful arrangement of Richard Strauss' "Dance of Salome," forms the centerpiece of the album.

However, the in-depth exploration of traditional folk music, which has many roots in the ensemble, also runs like a thread through the track list of VOL 3: Klezmer sounds, Cossack choirs, Australian heartbreak, French savoir vivre as well as balalaika speed records are a natural part of the Vienna Berlin Music Club.

TRACKLIST:
1. REQUIEM FOR FALCO 04:07
Music: Johann Hölzel, Ferdinand Bolland, Robert Bolland
2. ŽUTE DUNJE 06:40
Music: Bosnian/Bulgarian Traditional. Arrangement: Sebastian Gürtler
3. HUMORESQUE 02:39
Music: Antonín Dvorák. Arrangement: Stephan Koncz
4. TANZ DER SALOME 08:59
Music: Richard Strauss. Arrangement: Sebastian Gürtler
5. WALTZING MATILDA 03:59
Music: Australian Traditional. Arrangement: Stephan Koncz
6. MAD MULE 03:12
Music: Traditional. Arrangement: Stephan Koncz
7. KOL NIDREI 06:58
Music: Max Bruch. Arrangement: Stephan Koncz
8. ODESSA BULGAR 04:28
Music: Klezmer Traditional. Arrangement: Noah Bendix-Balgley
9. FUGA IN C 04:26
Music: Dmitri Shostakovich. Arrangement: Christoph Traxler
10. HEARTLESS 03:36
Music: Marcus Davy. Arrangement: Sebastian Gürtler
11. LA VIE EN ROSE 03:22
Music: Louis Guglielmi
12. LUDWIG'S NIGHTMARE 04:54
Music: Sebastian Gürtler
13. REALITY 03:45
Music: Vladimir Cosma