The essence of ECM, Thomas Stroenen’s first performance in Korea of ​​‘Time Is A Blind Guide’

A performance to experience ECM’s unique lyrical and conversational music is coming in late winter.

Tomas Stronen’s ‘Time Is A Blind Guide”s first performance in Korea will be “Norwegian Forest.”Under the subtitle “Encountering the essence of ECM while walking,” it will be held at Jazz in Lab in Sejong City on February 2 at 8 p.m., on February 3 at 7 p.m. at the Suwon Gyeonggi Arts Center Small Theater, and on February 4 at 5 p.m. at JCC Art Center in Seoul..

This is a special performance that combines improvisational jazz performance and photography by photographer Ahn Woong-cheol with a combination of Norway’s leading drummer and composer Thomas Stroenen and multinational musicians from Sweden and Japan. The sound of a special 5-member string ensemble ‘Time Is A Blind Guide’ unfolds.

Established in Germany in 1969, ECM (Edition of Contemporary Music) has a symbolism beyond a record label and is known as “Silence Next” . With the motto “the most beautiful sound,” we have captured various beautiful sounds from around the world. ECM’s unique philosophy and atmosphere is also well known for its album cover art containing images such as photos of natural landscapes or modern art, and in this performance, we aim to create an opportunity to experience the emotions contained in ECM’s music more visually.

This performance allows you to experience the photography of Ahn Woong-cheol, the only Korean photographer who worked on ECM’s album covers, along with music. As if appreciating an art or photography exhibition, the photos selected to match the music provide the feeling of traveling over the various landscapes depicted by Time Is A Blind Guide’s music or into a deeper inner state of tranquility, as if watching a movie. It will provide you with audio-visual enjoyment.

The essence of European jazz, which received rave reviews from critics, Time Is A Blind Guide

Norwegian drummer Thomas Straw. Nen is a familiar name to audiences who listen to ECM albums. Among his discography, which is mainly filled with modern and contemplative works, the ECM album “Time Is A Blind Guide” , which he released as a leader in 2015, allowed him to discover his capabilities as a composer with a unique color that added strings to a jazz trio arrangement., the contemporary acoustic ensemble’s second album, “Lucus” (2018), which was released subsequently, received a perfect five-star review from jazz media outlet All About Jazz and received rave reviews from jazz lovers and critics around the world.

Time Is A Blind Guide, which presents the essence of European jazz, is a five-member group consisting of piano, violin, cello, bass, and drums, and plays with a modern sensibility, like a movie soundtrack, and a performance similar to classical music. give. Their identity is not necessarily standardized within the framework of a specific genre. It is meaningless to even distinguish whether this music is jazz or classical. The only meaningful thing is that their pictorial and cinematic music can only be fully experienced by listening to even the slightest tremors in the performance hall.

The main reason why Time Is A Blind Guide’s performance is considered jazz is its improvisation. Within a loosely woven musical structure, the band focuses as much as possible on the moment of playing music and interacting with the audience, and under the leadership of drummer Thomas Stroenen, the band reacts and improvises very organically. Their performance is agile and sharp, sometimes expressing the deep darkness of the abyss, and sometimes expressing the slowly seeping joy of life.

At the performance, new songs that have not yet been released are seen. They plan to perform heavily, and the lyricism, poetic sensibility, and painterly texture that are the foundation of their music will be maintained. From songs expressing everyday impressions to songs containing more profound and philosophical symbolism, we aim to capture concerns about time, space, and our existence that can only be expressed through music, in the music of the contemporary jazz string ensemble.

-Performance overview

Performance name: Thomas Stroenen “Time Is A Blind Guide” First performance in Korea

Performance subtitle: “Walking through the Norwegian Forest” Facing the essence of ECM”

Performance date: Friday, February 2, 2024, 8 p.m., Sejong City Jazz in Lab

February 3, 2024 (Saturday, 7 p.m., Suwon Gyeonggi Arts Center Small Theater

February 4, 2024 (Sun), 5 p.m., Seoul JCC Art Center

Appearance: Thomas Stroenen (drums), Ayumi Tanaka (piano), Haakon Asse (violin),

Leo Svensson Sander (cello), Ole Morten Bagan (bass)

Price: All seats 60,000 won (20% discount for elementary/middle/high schools and other discounts)

Age: 7 years and older

Organizer/organizer: Jazz Bridge CompanyReporter Son Bong-seok paulsohn@kyunghyang.comTicketing: Interpark, Naver Reservation

Sponsorship: Ahn Woong-cheol, C&L Music, MM Jazz