Klangwelten Klangspirale
I just attended a concert of Klangwelten (“sound worlds”) at the Tollhaus. Klangwelten is a world music combo with some long time musicians and some musicians changing every year.
The propellerhead is Rüdiger Oppermann:
Klangwelten - Jürgen Oppermann
This year’s musicians include:
- Jemmy Bluestein & Rachel Eddie (USA): Fiddle, Banjo, Vocals
- Jørgen W. Lang (Europe, Ostfriesland) Bariton-Cister, Guitars, Low Whistles, Vocals
- Rüdiger Oppermann (Europe): Celtic Harp, Koncept, Arrangements.
- Lao Khaen Duo (Laos): Kaen, Pi, Vocals
- Ali Yildirim & Yasar Zafer Keskin (Turkey: Kemençe Duo)
- Jatinder Thakur (India): Tablas
Besides the fact that the concert did last to short (2 hours for 20€), it really was a great show.
The harp playing of Rüdiger Oppermann impressed me. He really got interesting sounds out of the instrument. Sometimes it more sounded like a guitar than a harp. Interesting style. OTOH, he did some magic with some hidden electronics. There have been bass tones which sounded to phat for a harp alone (though I heard similar stuff from Vollenweider, too).
Jatinder Thakur on the tablas was an eye catcher in his traditional clothing:
Klangwelten - Jatinder Thakur
Jemmy Bluestein & Rachel Eddie played fiddle, banjo and added some vocals. Not exactly my taste, but great playing anyway:
Klangwelten - Jemmy Bluestein & Rachel Eddie
Mr. Keskin played the kementche, and he did it with virtuosity. I usually thought that the instrument is held on the knees or something like this, but he was capable of holding it freeley in his left hand while still moving the bow with his right hand. Impressive indeed. If you have a chance to see him, grab it:
Klangwelten - Keskin
And here, finally, more or less the outsiders. Two elderly guys from laos, the country which was bombed by the americans by far more bombs than germany and japan during WW2. Over 70 years old, they played two instruments. The first one was an (IMO horrible) mouth organ:
Klangwelten - mouth organ Khaen
Additionally they played a very interesting instrument, the Pi. Listening to their playing on this instrument immediately reminded me of my Korg Z1 synth. I need to get a similar sound out of it »real soon now™«:
Klangwelten - Laos - Pi
Thanks guys for coming to germany. This was an excellent inspiration.
All in all, an excellent concert. I really enjoyed it, though I was a bit tired due to a hard working day (the release of interiorcad 2010 keeps me busy).
