Atmospheric excursions with cello and organ

Although Albin Brun (*1959) and Kristina Brunner (*1993) come from different generations, they are committed to a common vision: Both the Lucerne native and the Bernese are eager to constantly develop Swiss folk music. While Brun, who was awarded the Swiss Music Prize in 2017, is regarded as one of the key figures between jazz and contemporary folk music, Brunner has made a name for herself thanks to her virtuoso playing on the cello and Schwyzerörgeli.

After the two met at the Lucerne School of Music, they began working together in 2017. The duo rehearses weekly, developing dense sound poetry and coming up with magnificently sophisticated chamber music. Their debut from 2020, MidnangBrun and Brunner are now Inland follow. An album made up of 13 original compositions, which, in addition to reduced instrumentation, also offers atmospheric excursions and constantly varying melodies.

Although the opener presents itself Fex initially lively, but the piece soon turns to more contemplative motifs, which seem to be driven in particular by a nameless longing. In songs like Shovidar! or Aube it also becomes clear that wanderlust and homesickness are lurking around the next corner. This results in a mood that ranges from melancholy to dreamy and is touching throughout.

Brun and Brunner have fun using changing combinations of instruments: Sometimes cello and organ play around each other, at other times two organs bait each other. The result is convincing. Schratteflue for example, draws on the melancholy and testifies to alpine closeness, while the W., the fish proves to be related to the chanson. With Inland Brun and Brunner have released an album that is so playful, profound and wonderful that you'll want to play it again.

Albin Brun & Kristina Brunner: Innerland. Self-published, www.albinbrun.ch