Victor Kraus Group - Canto Ostinato (2023)

A sound experience of it’s own, 75 minutes of pure music without interruption, emotional, rhythmical, melodic. One of the most performed Dutch pieces interpreted by the extraordinary musicians of the VICTOR KRAUS GROUP. An unheard and unprecedented version integrating strings and winds, specially authorized by the publisher Donemus Amsterdam.

For this project Victor Kraus brings together 6 to 7 of the most well known Luxembourgish musicians: Kae Shiraki (piano), Aniela Stoffels (flute), Max Mausen (clarinet), Anik Schwall (cello), Guy Frisch (vibraphone) and Victor Kraus (marimba). A group of musicians specially formed for this magnificent piece, normally played by keys (pianos, percussions, etc.) but never integrating winds, strings or electronics.

A minimal music master piece with a duration of 1 to 24 hours; 106 musical blocks repeated ad libitum. A piece that will sound differently at every performance, because every musician is free to choose instantly which voice or/and which note of the notated rhythm he will play. A piece that makes straining one’s years, that makes one dream, meditate or slumber, a fascinating piece that makes one feel good.

The ingredients: one rhythm in quintuplets creates a basic pulsation, 106 blocks repeated ad libitum distinguish themselves clearly in harmony and sound. The transitions through bridges are not repeated and appear in an abrupt way, new material appears instantly without the imperceptible fade-ins, so typical characteristic for the early minimal music pieces. A melody that uncouples itself from the texture and metamorphose suddenly into theme and accompaniment, strong musical effects, an undulating and hypnotic music; strong emotions is the result for the listener.