Statement by Hubert von Goisern, view video
The Silkroad Ensemble
Music brings together people of all nations. It is a powerful instrument for dialogue that can be use to overcome boundaries. Therefore, music will play an essential part in Silkroad Experiences. Conceived in a similar way as in the Silkroad Outdoor Team, the Silkroad Ensemble is formed of members from different countries and cultural backgrounds that will also try to combine the unique traditional music of the Silkroad. The musicians will face the challenge to find a musical language. Moreover, in this language all dialects will be represented, changing according to the location of the performance. The musicians could only succeed in this creative challenge thru an intense exchange of ideas and experience. The outcome of this dialogue will be fascinating, thrilling and definitely unpredictable.
The Silkroad Ensemble live in concert. Click here to listen
Spirit of the Silk Road - Songs of Dialogue
01 - Edjin Duun (Okna Tsahan Zam / arranged by Claude Samard) listen
02 - Horse Gallop (Enkhjargal Dandarvaanchig) listen
03 - Yang Guan (Chinese traditional / arranged by Hongyu Cheng) listen
04 - Beta Infusion (Rainer Granzin) listen
05 - Sevgimi Saldim Göye (Dost Matur) listen
06 - Aide Jano (Serbian traditional) listen
07 - Daye Daye (Dost Matur / Rainer Granzin) listen
08 - Tracks in the Sand (Torsten Steudinger) listen
09 - Nomad Journey (Mongolian traditional) listen
10 - Om Mani Padme Hum (Margot Reisinger) listen
This is the first album of the Silkroad Ensemble produced by Bruno Baumann
Enkhjargal Dandarvaarchig or Epi (Mongolia)
Mongolian Artist Epi was born in Ulaanbaatar in 1968 and grew up in a village near the Russian-Mongolian border. Epi is a master of the Mongolian fiddle ‘morin hoor’ and his undertone and overtone singing (‘harhiraa’ and ‘höömii’ respectively) fascinates listeners all over Europe. In 1993, Epi and the ensemble Altain Orgil came to Germany for the first time. He met Rüdiger Oppermann, with whom he played concerts in Germany, in Europe and the USA. In addition, the Mongolian artist has participated in several music projects. Together with Peter Götzmann he introduced Mongolian Hip Hop and with Rainer Granzin he created Jazzy Rhythms. Epi´s talent for improvisation makes him an important member of the Silkroad Ensemble.
Rainer Granzin (Germany)
Being in close contact with musicians from different cultures all over the world had a constant influence on Rainer Granzin´s music and his musical development, and it gave him access to exotic sounds he learned to incorporate. As an arranger, improviser and virtuoso soloist, Rainer has travelled with several groups through Europe, America, and China. Apart from being an instrumentalist, Rainer also composes and arranges music for theatre and film. Moreover, he works as a producer in his own studio and is a versatile player of the piano as well as the organ. During his last international productions, Rainer toured through Mongolia and, in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, he organized workshops and concerts at the Academy of Music in Nanjing, China.
Zeynel Dost Matur (Turkey)
Born in 1959, Matur descends from a musical Alevi family. In his Turkish hometown Ovacik, he learned Tunceli singing and he also learned to play the saz. In 1983, he made his first move towards world music. Dost played in the Merhaba ensemble that included musicians from Greece, Spain, Mexico and Germany. During this period he developed his unique style. One of the highlights in Dost’s world music career was the participation in Rüdiger Oppermann’s ensemble Karawane. This ensemble won the world music award (RUTH) in 2006. Together with the Dortmund Trio, Dost was awarded within the Creole award for World Music in 2007. Since 2006, Dost also works as a freelance musician, host, and film musician for Düzgün TV in Dortmund, Germany.
Sebastian Nickoll (Germany)
Nickoll studied Latin percussion at the Codarts conservatory in Rotterdam and completed his studies with summa cum laude. He played with well known Latin Jazz groups like Nueva Manteca and Eric y su Chocolate in Colombia, Cuba and the United States.
Torsten Steudinger (Germany)
Born in 1971, he studied at the Academies of Music in Graz and Mannheim. His instruments were the contrabass and the electronic bass. Since 1995, he has also been teaching these instruments. He has worked for several theatres. He has travelled to Hungary, France, Portugal and Spain in the course of his tours. He is a member of some ensembles in Germany (Changes, Iron and Swing Society, for example). He has produced many CDs and worked with numerous musicians.