Michael Riessler - Héloise (2023)

"Truth is created by questioning and kept up by disputation."This sentence of the medieval philosopher Pierre Abélard is virtually the motto of Riessler's work. Thus, in this "jazz"-project the principle of improvisation is not only followed up within theme and harmony, but also includes in particular historic styles from the European music tradition back to the Middle Ages. Then, the Arabic cultures influenced Europe and a consenteous co-existence of modal playing and thorough bass techniques was usual. "The 'Michael Riessler Tentett' [produced] stunningly fresh scenes with instrumental ties across all historical and cultural boundaries..." (Hartmut Lück: Frankfurter Rundschau, 24.10.92)"Most captivating was the performnace of the Michael Riessler ensemble that created a musical fantasia of the love story of Abélard and Héloise. This music was presented with supreme instrumental virtuosity...Michael Riessler, an excellent clarinet player from the Deinzer school, feels at ease in all music genres from jazz and ethno to Stockhausen and gave this project it's solid compositional structure..."(Bernd Feuchtner: Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin, 20.10.92) The CD was awarded the Quarterly German Record Critics' Award!