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Modern String Quartet
Pictures at an Exhibition – Framed in Jazz
Solo Musica 468, 2024
will be published on 26.7.2024
A remake of a special kind
Having always explored innovative possibilities to transform the different genres of classical music, the quartet now presents an extraordinary and progressive interpretation of this timeless masterpiece by Mussorgsky. The Modern String Quartet hereby exhibits pictures within the framework of a fascinating contemporary tonal language- so very abstract and modern. A crouched Gnomus scurries through the disharmonious paint blobs of a Jackson Pollock, Baba Jaga skitters through the wild, expressionistic brush strokes of a Wassily Kandinsky. New pictures are hung up, being uncompromising in expression and enhanced by unrestrained imagination.
Framed in Jazz
The quartet’s enrapturing music remakes listeners’ perception of well-known paintings while the music pieces themselves become new works of art by means of inspiring jazz improvisation. This exhibition turns into a splendid promenade through wonderfully diverse styles of music. The Modern String Quartet is well-known for its forty years of uncomfortably persevering and fearless exploration of unknown paths.
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Thomas Wollenweber, Cello
Tracks:
1) Promenade 1 (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
2) Gnomus (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
3) One More Picture (Joerg Widmoser)
4) Promenade 2 (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
5) II Vecchio Castello (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
6) Baba Jaga (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
7) Promenade 3 (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
8) Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
9) Lucky Man (Greg Lake, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
10) Promenade 4 (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
11) El Anatsul (Andreas Höricht)
12) Modest Moves (Mussorgsky, Wayne Shorter, Art.: Winfried Zenner)
13) Promenade 5 (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
14) Bydlo (Mussorgsky, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
15) Das grosse Tor von Kiew (Mussorgsky, Art.: Joerg Widmoser)
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Modern String Quartet
The Rite of Swing
Upsolute Music Records 137, 2018
A Tribute to Duke Ellington and Igor Stravinsky
“With the adaptation of ‘The Rite of Spring’, an attempt is made to create a symbiosis between Stravinsky and Ellington. As boundary-crossers between classical music, new music, and jazz, these worlds are naturally intertwined and integrated into Stravinsky’s work. This is how the energy and immediacy of this magnum opus emerge in a completely new way: The Rite of Swing.”
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Thomas Wollenweber, Cello
Tracks:
1) The Rite Reloaded (Igor Stravinsky/ Arr. Winfried Zrenner)
1) Adoration of the Earth – The Augurs of Spring: Dances of the Young Girls -Ritual of Abduction
2) Spring Rounds
3) Ritual of the Rival Tribes – Procession of the Sage
4) Evocations of the Ancestors – Ritual Action of the Ancestors
5) Sacrificial Dance
6) Suite Américaine (Joerg Widmoser)
7) I Didn’t Know About You (Duke Ellington/ Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
8) Satin Doll (Duke Ellington/ Arr. Andreas Höricht)
9) Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington/ Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
10) Two Sides Of A Sophisticated Lady (Andreas Höricht)
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IRMLER / OSTERHELT
Die Gesänge des Maldoror
Klangbad 75, 2017
Hans Joachim Irmler, Orgel, Analog-Synthesizer, Stimme
Carl Friedrich Oesterhelt, Piano, Analog-Synthesizer, Hammond-Orgel, Schlagwerk
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Thomas Wollenweber, Cello
Salewski, Schlagzeug, Schlagwerk
Schorsch Kamerun, Stimme
Stadtkapelle Scheer unter der Leitung von Viktor Schill
als Vinyl, CD und als Download
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IRMLER-OESTERHELD-MODERN STRING QUARTET
Formen
Klangbad 70LP, 2015
Hans Joachim Irmler, Orgel, Analog-Synthesizer
Carl Friedrich Oesterheld, Piano, Analog-Synthesizer, Hammond-Orgel, Wurlitzer E-Piano, Schlagwerk
Joerg Widmoser, violine
Winfried Zrenner, violine
Andreas Höricht, viola
Jost-H. Hecker, cello
Stefan Schreiber, Klarinette, Saxophon
Salewski, Schlagwerk, Schlagzeug
als Doppel Vinyl und als Download
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Modern String Quartet
J.S. Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Klavier, Band 1
in der Fassung für Streichquartett von Joerg Widmoser
UMR 125, 2012
“The music sounds familiar, the melodies are well-known, and yet the listener pauses: Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier? Indeed. However, it is not a pianist interpreting this milestone of music history, but rather four string players. Once again, the MSQ fulfills its core mission with its music: it develops something new from the existing, invites the audience to listen, to hear anew, and to follow the sound of its music beyond the facade of apparent familiarity.”
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Doppel CD € 25,-
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Modern String Quartet
Fever
Upsolute Music Records 119, 2008
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
“Attention! Highly contagious: Fever alert! The musicians of the Modern String Quartet take no responsibility for any risks and side effects while listening to the new CD. In particular, lasting changes in mood are by no means excluded, sometimes explicitly desired, indeed – consciously provoked. The interpretation of Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ could lead susceptible individuals to hallucinatory visions, inevitably triggering a pleasurable longing for summer heat hovering over the asphalt. Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’ acts directly on the central nervous system, with the pulsating cello strokes potentially causing uncontrollable rhythmic movements of the leg apparatus. Already in past centuries, ‘I burn with a hot fever’ (Beethoven) led to strangely emotional reactions – sudden hot flashes and intensely reddened lips. Melancholic characters are particularly warned against the swirling tonal surfaces in Philip Glass’ ‘Mishima’ (these sounds have already led to suicidal tendencies in film history), whereas Schubert’s ‘Erlkönig’ with its seductive violin voice proves to be a parasitic infestation of the auditory canal – the so-called earworm. Should you, despite all warnings – or precisely because of them! – be interested in the current CD of the Modern String Quartet, we recommend enjoying all previous CD releases of this extraordinary string quartet as comprehensive vaccination. A visit to the homepage (www.modernstringquartet.com) has also proven to be highly effective prophylaxis. Perhaps, however, you may agree with Elvis Presley, who, craving swinging and pleasurable music, concluded by throwing all caution to the wind: ‘Give me fever!!!!!!!!'”
Tracks:
1) Summertime (Gershwin/Widmoser)
2) Erlkönig (Schubert/Zrenner)
3) Pantomime III-Infernal Dance (Strawinsky/Hecker)
4) Mishima (Glass)
5) Hot Fever (Beethoven/Widmoser)
6) Mozart (Mozart/Höricht)
7) Yatra Ta (Maria/Widmoser)
8) Konsumrausch (Widmoser)
9) G-Spot Tornado (Zappa/Zrenner)
10) Fever (Davenport/Höricht)
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Modern String Quartet
Watermusic
Upsolute Music Records 112, 2004
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) All Blues (Miles/ Widmoser)
2) Aqua Musica Nova (Händel/ Höricht)
3) Wasserspiele (Widmoser)
4) An Wasserfluessen Babylon (Bach)
5) Cantaloupe Island (Hancock/ Zrenner)
6) La Mer/Remix (Debussy/ Zrenner)
7) My Ship (Weill/ Widmoser)
8) Niagara (Höricht)
9) Regen (Hecker)
10) How Deep Is The Ocean (Berlin/ Zrenner)
11) Crystal Silence (Corea/ Hecker)
12) Der tropfende Wasserhahn (Höricht)
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Modern String Quartet
vs. Charlie Mariano
Upsolute Music Records 111, 2002
Charlie Mariano, sax
Joerg Widmoser, violin
Winfried Zrenner, violin
Andreas Höricht, viola
Jost-H. Hecker, cello
Tracks:
1) gemini (Joerg Widmoser)
2) dolphin dance (Herbie Hancock/ Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
3) two sides of a sophisticated lady (Andreas Höricht)
4) uncle fonk (Joerg Widmoser)
5) pink lady (Charlie Mariano/ Arr.: Jost-H. Hecker)
6) columbia (Jost-H. Hecker)
7) happiness (Joerg Widmoser)
8) dont‘t love it (Jost-H. Hecker)
9) maxl (Jost-H. Hecker)
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Modern String Quartet:
Four Composers
MOOD Records 6492, 1996, Upsolute Music Records 130, 2013
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) Andreas Höricht: w.y.h.i.w.y.g. (what you hear is what you get) (1995)
2) Joerg Widmoser: Praeludium und Fuge in c-moll (1998)
3) Andreas Höricht: Eight Soxx (1995)
4) Jost-H. Hecker: Bremsflüssigkeit (1992)
5) Joerg Widmoser: Suite for a floating Mood (1994)
6) Dmitri Shostakovich: Praeludium und Fuge in e-moll (aus Praeludien und Fugen für Klavier, op. 87, arrangiert von Andreas Höricht)
7) Andreas Höricht: Gangway to Denmark (1994)
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Modern String Quartet:
J.S.Bach: Kunst der Fuge
MOOD Records 6452, 1994, Upsolute Music Records 129, 2013
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
CD 1:
1) Contrapunctus 1
2) Contrapunctus 2
3) Contrapunctus 3
4) Contrapunctus 4
5) Canon alla Ottava 1
6) Contrapunctus 5
7) Contrapunctus 6 – a4- in stylo francese
8) Contrapunctus 7 -a4- per augmentationem et diminutionen
9) Canon alla decima in contrapuncto alla terza
10) Contrapunctus 9 -a4- alla duodecima
11) Contrapunctus 10 -a4- alla decima
12) Contrapunctus 8 -a3
13) Contrapunctus 11 -a4
CD 2:
1) Canon alla duodecima in contrapuncto alla quinta
2) Contrapunctus 13 -a3- rectus/inversus
3) Contrapunctus 12 -a4- rectus/inversus
4) Canon in hypodiatesseron
5) Contrapunctus 14, fuga a 3 soggetti
6) Choral „Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit“
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John Kaizan Neptune/Modern String Quartet
Kite
Mkosei Japan KJKN -9200, 1992
John Kaizan, Shakuhtchi
Georg Lawall, Gitarre
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) Currents
2) Sailing East
3) Bamboo Cutter
4) Bamboo Princess
5) Moon Return
6) Wing it
7) Between Clouds
8) Pentasonic
9) Kite
10) Two’s Blues
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Modern String Quartet
Four Brothers
MOOD Records 6372, 1992, Upsolute Music Records 128, 2013
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Winfried Zrenner, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) Blues March (Benny Golson, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
2) Shuffle for Four (Joerg Widmoser)
3) Four Brothers (Jimmy Guiffre, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
4) Thats New (Joerg Widmoser)
5) Spinning Wheel (David Clayton Thomas, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
6) Dolphin Dance (Herbie Hancock, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
7) The Cost of Living (Don Grolnick, Arr.: Andreas Höricht)
8) Donna Lee (Charlie Parker, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
9) Giant Steps (John Coltrane, Arr.: Joerg Widmoser)
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Modern String Quartet
MSQ plays Duke Ellington
(MOOD Records 6372), 1990, Upsolute Music Records 127, 2013
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Nicolas Geremus, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) Take the “A”-Train (Ellington/Strayhorn, Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
2) Caravan (Ellington/Tizol/Mills, Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
3) In a sentimental Mood (Ellington/Mills/Kurtz, Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
4) Rhythm for J.H. Snake (Joerg Widmoser)
5) Sir Duke (Stevie Wonder, Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
6) It don´t mean a Thing, if you ain´t got that Swing (Ellington, Arr. Joerg Widmoser)
7) Nick´s Lick´s (Jost-H. Hecker)
8) Lush Life (Strayhorn, Arr. Jost-H. Hecker)
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Modern String Quartet
Live in Baden-Baden
Upsolute Music Records 104, 1989, MC
Joerg Widmoser – Violine
Nicolas Geremus – Violine
Andreas Höricht – Viola
Jost-H. Hecker – Violoncello
Tracks:
1) take the a-train (Duke Ellington/Joerg Widmoser)
2) all blues (Miles Davis/ Joerg Widmoser)
3) vollmond (Joerg Widmoser)
4) elephants and strings (Joerg Widmoser)
5) hello dolly (Herman/Jetter)
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Modern String Quartet
Jazz für Streichquartett
MOOD Records 33672, 1988, Upsolute Music Records 126, 2013
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Holger Jetter, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) All Blues (Miles/ Widmoser)
2) Spanish Spy (Widmoser)
3) Wintermorgen (Jetter)
4) Night in Tunesia (Gillespie/ Widmoser)
5) Ballata con Fuga (Widmoser)
6) Vollmond (Widmoser)
7) Erster Kontrapunkt (aus der Kunst der Fuge von J.S. Bach)
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Modern String Quartet
Elephants and Strings
Upsolute Music Records 102, 1986
Joerg Widmoser, Violine
Holger Jetter, Violine
Andreas Höricht, Viola
Jost-H. Hecker, Cello
Tracks:
1) Ornithology (Parker/ Widmoser)
2) Elephants and Strings (Widmoser)
3) Die wilde 13 (Hecker)
4) YNu PYNu (Widmoser)
6) Grand Canyon Suite (Widmoser)
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More CDs with the Modern String Quartet:
1. Konstantin Wecker/Modern String Quartet: ganz schön wecker (Global Musicon, BMG 259012-222), 1988
2. Konstantin Wecker/Modern String Quartet: Stilles Glück, trautes Heim (Global Musicon, BMG 260331-222), 1989
3. Modern String Quartet/Jazz im Gärtnerplatz (BR, CACD 8155), 2000
4. Strings of Fire: Crossover Today (Warner Classics 8573 88026-2), 2003
5. Joe Haider Double Quartet: Mysterious (Double Moon Records 71051), 2006
6. Hugo Siegmeth: Red Onions, celebrating Sidney Bechet (ACT 9443-2
7. 1700 – Ein barockes Konzerterlebnis (Upsolute Music Records UMR 120), 2008
8. Sarband und Modern String Quartet: Die Arabische Passion nach J.S.Bach (JARO 4294-2), 2009