"Chamber Jazz at its finest" (Concerto Magazine). Four musicians – aight instruments as well as being endlessly keen to experiment and demonstrate versatility – these are the trademarks of the Chamber Jazz Quartet, PianoForteBrass. Through their original compositions comprised of sounds from jazz, improvised music and classical chamber music, the musicians transform chamber music -- an ensemble becomes a jazz band, and a salon orchestra mutates into a mini-brass band. Multi-facetted instrumentations and a virtuosic command of their instruments provide a rarely heard diversity of sounds and unexpected surprises!
Anna Lang: Cello, Piano, Oboe
Mario Rom or Lorenz Raab: Trumpet, Fluegelhorn
Alois Ebert: Trombone, Accordion
Walter Singer: Bass
PianoForteBrass was formed in May 2010 and is, as of 2013/2014, a chosen ensemble of the Jeunesse Austria. The first recording by PianoForteBrass with the title “The Dancing Gams” appeared in 2012, the second album with the title „ Mondgeister“appeared in 2014, both are produced by sowiesound/Lotus Records.
Print Media:
MICA Vienna / 2014 / mt:„....Auch den etwas schrägeren Tönen nicht abgeneigt; Es ist Kammerjazz der edlen, verspielten und damit auch abwechslungsreichen Sorte, den der Vierer PianoForteBrass auf „Mondgeister“ praktiziert. Die unbeschwerte und leichtfüßige Art, auf die sich ( PianoForteBrass ) durch ihre Stücke spielen, wie sie über raffinierte Wendungen und stete Stimmungs- wie Dynamikwechsel diese in Schwingung versetzen, ist eine richtig feine Sache. Bei PianoForteBrass trifft ausgeprägtes Musikverständnis auf instrumentales Können und eine ordentliche Portion Humor. Da werden, wenn es eben passt, schon einmal auch die scheinbar nicht perfekten Töne angespielt, was der ganzen Geschichte einen angenehm unkonventionellen Touch verleiht.“
Kulturmagazin Bamberg 2013 / J. Gräßer: The youthful debut of an Austrian quartet, which has dedicated itself to chamber music jazz. Utilising nine instruments, the four musicians are each composers. Others must strive hard to achieve comparable music at this high standard.
Ö1 / “On Stage”/09/2013: “An intensive exhilarating evening was provided by the Ensemble PianoForteBrass in the Radio Café in Vienna. Jazz and chamber music were wonderfully combined.”
Concerto Magazin/CD Review / 10/2012/ (Schul): “°°°°°(...) this music breathes and (…) is distinguished by the awareness of sounds and the virtuosic command of the instruments. (…) The quartet demonstrates a wide variety of styles; within the first four pieces it completes the transformation from a chamber music ensemble to a jazz band, from a salon orchestra to a mini-brass band. (…) The compositions of all four band members utilize the diversity of sound to its utmost and do not attempt to be convulsively amusing which is especially pleasant. Austrian Chamber Music at its Finest!”
Neues Volksblatt 2012/ J. Gebetsroither: “Virtuosic Chamber Jazz:” (…) Four premiere compositions (composed by Anna Lang) at the beginning drew the audience together (…) Despite the boisterousness and obliqueness of the compositions, one could not escape the eccentric, perfection and simultaneous beauty. (…) Actually all the members of the quartet shone not only by their composing talents, but also through their virtuosity on the instruments. (…) Highest marks!
OÖ. Nachrichten 2011/ Christoph Haunschmied: “Refreshing Chamber Jazz ******
The instrumentation of the band alone promises the unusual. The diversity of instruments enables complex and colorful sounds between almost traditional jazz and contemporary chamber music. The pieces, originating almost completely from the pens of the band members, are cleverly constructed and are pleasing due to their originality and personal touch. Light as a feather, swinging music …. Bravo!
Kronen Zeitung 2011/ Peter Baumann: “A didactic piece of contemporary music between Modern and Jazz was offered by the 'PianoForteBrass' Quartet...they are exemplary-equipped by their arsenal of instruments. Anna Lang's compositions alternate between romantic longing and racy frolicking. This evening introduced a poetess of tones who has no fear of melodies....The rhythmical and motivic abundance was exploited by the brass instrument musicians and Lang..., into a wide field of improvisation and emotional atmosphere.
Musica austria Wien/2011/ (mt): “Piano Forte Brass is a young, striving Austrian ensemble... a musical experience full of virtuosity, a good portion of humour and surprising twists... …a musical sound spectacle by a highly-talented troupe at the highest level.”
