At eye level

Here Dieter Ammann, there Jannik Giger: here the recognized Swiss composer Ammann, now professor of composition at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, there his former student Giger, Swiss newcomer and accomplished multi-talent in composition and multimedia. On the CD with the simple title Ammann Giger the two are musically united. Ensemble pieces, duets or compositions for cello and piano solo are performed in beautiful alternation, sometimes by one, sometimes by the other.

There is Alban Berg and Joseph Tal. But there can be no question of differences in rank here. Jannik Giger's works sparkle with vitality. Sometimes it sounds rhythmically playful, then there are refreshingly clear, thoroughly imitative dialogs between the instruments. There are often allusions to the classical-romantic musical tradition in Giger's music. Beethoven shimmers through in some places, and the listener also dips into the sound spheres of Schumann or Stravinsky at times. At no point do the allusions seem flirtatious or kleptomaniac. Giger always retains his own tone. Even more important than the recognition value: Giger knows how to compose, masters form and economy.

Ammann's works also have a very direct and powerful effect, they "jump out at you", as they say in the jargon of new music. The three compositions on the CD were written between 1994 and 2011. In the ensemble piece Après le Silence At times it sounds dance-like and humorous, at others more dense and serious. Ammann interweaves his formal parts so skillfully that one wonders how he got from A to B. In Piece for Cello (Imagination against numbers) he uses the full range of what is possible on the cello. Karolina Öhman knows how to realize the subtle dynamic nuances. The Mondrian ensemble also shows itself in Après le Silence as an outstanding formation that more than does justice to the many "mood swings" in Amman's work.

The CD released on the Basel label A Tree in a Field Records is an event. The recordings sound incredibly live and do justice to the lively music. For audiophile fans, the label also offers the music on vinyl. The purchase is definitely worth it.