Aries Point Hathor Consort

• Bastian Stein (b. 1983):
• 1 Stein: Burton 05:18
• 2 Stein: 2020-12-27 03:26
• 3 Stein: 2+1 04:30
• 4 Stein: Karo 05:13
• David Helm (b. 1990):
• 5 Helm: Lumen 04:10
• Bastian Stein:
• 6 Stein: Fantasie 03:03
• 7 Stein: Kimono 04:36
• Ronny Graupe (b. 1979):
• 8 Graupe: Zwischen 05:36
• Bastian Stein:
• 9 Stein: Freihändig 04:14
• 10 Stein: Ljubljana 05:12
• David Helm:
• 11 Helm: Jacob 06:01
• Total Runtime 51:19

Info for Aries Point

Since my first encounter with the Hathor Consort, it has been obvious to me that the sound of the viola da gamba complements the harmonic and melodic style of my compositions wonderfully well and with utter naturalness. The pieces on Aries Point therefore not only combine two musical eras, but also give the sound color of the viola da gamba a central place as a key compositional element. Its unique timbre influences the process of composition and improvisation and resonates in a completely new musical context. Its subtle intensity brings out textures which, in their turn, inspire jazz musicians to adopt new forms of melodic and sonic expression in the course of their improvisations. In jazz, the process of improvisation could also be called instant composing. A central element is the variation of the themes and the interaction between the musicians. In composition too, the repeated variation of patterns through changes in key, rhythm, note order creates material that serves to weave the melodies and harmonies of the work. With the Aries Point project, I wish to introduce a wider public to the beauty and diversity of improvisation, that ancestral form which lies at the source of all musical expression. (Bastian Stein)

Hathor Consort

The Hathor Consort
which takes its name from the Egyptian mother goddess Hathor, was formed by Romina Lischka in 2012. Under her artistic direction, this string ensemble is dedicated to performing music from the Renaissance and Baroque centered around the viola da gamba. Simultaneously, the group is also interested in exploring new expressive possibilities of the refined, European chamber music repertoire in multi-disciplinary and intercultural concert forms where early music from other cultures combine with modern music, world music and dance.

Their first CD Lachrimae, featuring music of John Dowland, was released by the Belgian label Fuga Libera in 2014 and was enthusiastically received by the press. Their program of the same name combines Dowland's music with six interludes by the Belgian composer Annelies van Parys and choreography by the Belgian dancer Femke Gyselinck. Dhrupad Fantasia, the consort's newest project, combines the oldest form of North Indian classical music (the dhrupad) with music from 16th century England. Music from the court of the Mogul Akbar the Great and the court of Queen Elizabeth I merge together to form a new musical language, where compositional and improvisatory elements from both musical traditions are combined.

Because an understanding of the voice is necessary to comprehend the instrumental polyphony of the gamba consort, the Hathor Consort works together regularly with soloists and vocal ensembles such as Marnix De Cat's Pluto Ensemble and Collegium Vocale Gent, directed by Philippe Herreweghe.

With its multi-facetted programming, the Hathor Consort has been invited to numerous festivals and concert halls throughout Europe, including the Vienna Konzerthaus, Warschau Filharmonie, Bozar Brussel, London's Wigmore Hall, Cologne Philharmonie, Philharmonie Essen, Utrecht Early Music Festival, MA Festival Brugge, Musikfestspiele Potsdam, Opéra de Rouen, Muziekcentrum De Bijloke Gent and the York Early Music Festival.

Booklet for Aries Point