Carl Wittigs Aurora Oktett
Perspective Suite
Buy / Listen
2022 / nwog 038
Line-Up:
Carl Christian Wittig, Kontrabass Komposition
Ada Maria Schwengebecher, Violine
Anna Prysiaznik, Violine
Marie Schutrak, Viola
Franziska Ludwig Cello
Pascal Klewer, Trompete/Flügelhorn
Matti Oehl, Altsaxophon
Tom Friedrich, Drums
Wittig’s “Perspective Suite” is a fascinating debut. Wittig’s Aurora Octet ensemble, founded in 2016, moves freely in both jazz and classical traditions. The ensemble’s diverse compositions demonstrate how refreshing a blend of string quartet and jazz quartet music can sound.
Wittig’s conceptual summary of his compositions sounds almost prophetic: “The fundamental idea with this album is to adopt a different perspective on life and all its hardships. For example, I like to imagine what it would be like to look at the Earth standing on the surface of the moon. I like this feeling of being above it all, of being able to look at things from a remote point of view. That helps me especially when I feel insecure.” Wittig’s music deals with trepidation and yet offers comfort. For Wittig, the rapprochement between classical and jazz is of central importance in this. Many times on this album you can sense his devoted enthusiasm for classical string quartet sounds. It is precisely from this clever balance of thought-out compositions and the freedom of improvisation that the album draws its great vitality.
The European jazz landscape is not only becoming more and more diverse and innovative, it also reflects more than ever the desire of young musicians to straddle stylistic boundaries. Ears can’t lie: the Aurora Octet makes an essential contribution. Michael Wollny applauds, “Detailed in its conception, this is a cleverly written, elegant and unfettered debut!”
