Language Selection
TONspur concert IV - BartolomeyBittmann
“For there to be a possible, an impossible must have been attempted.” (Hermann Hesse)
The 2 Austrians Klemens Bittmann and Matthias Bartolomey have been working as a duo together since 2012.
Klemens Bittmann has always been on the search for the crossover region. After studying violin at the Graz University of Music & Performing Arts, he went on to study jazz violin with Didier Lockwood in Paris. Collaborations with the accordionist Klaus Paier, the guitarists Alegre Correa and Wolfgang Muthspiel, the trio Folksmilch, and as a duo with the woodwind player Georg Gratzer all helped determine Bittmann’s career as a performing artist, as did his job teaching at the University of Art in Graz. As an arranger, he made his mark for his groundbreaking ACT recording of the radio.string.quartet.vienna “Celebrating The Mahavishnu Orchestra”.
Matthias Bartolomey’s background is more frimly rooted in western art music. After graduating from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, he played in the orchestra for the Viennese State Opera, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Since 2010 he has been solo cellist for the Concentus Musicus Wien, founded by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. (Source: ACT Deutsches Jazz-Musiklabel, www.actmusic.com)
Ever since the beginning of their collaboration, the BartolomeyBittmann duo have dedicated themselves to the development of their own progressive repertoire for their instruments which are strongly rooted in the tradition of classical music. From the beginning, the focus of both musicians was on their own compositions and on experimenting with new ways of playing the cello, violin, and mandolin. Their musical spectrum now ranges from weighty rock riffs and virtuosic unison passages through to intimate grooves and sentimental cantilenas. Their focus is to be constantly searching for the acoustic essence of their instruments without the use of electronics or effects units. In contrast to the fast pace of our present times, Matthias Bartolomey and Klemens Bittmann planned their duo as a long-term project right from the outset, whereby they continually develop perfection of their interplay. They have realised their musical statement in a variety of concert tours together and intensive phases of composition. In their new programme z e h n, the 2 musicians are celebrating their 10th year together as an ensemble, and will be performing current pieces that for the most part were written during the pandemic lockdown.
“Seldom have string players been heard who dedicate themselves so completely to the groove. The BartolomeyBittmann duo present their musical virtues in a light-footed way that is not usually to be experienced with classical musical instruments: an unbridled joy in playing, and radical rhythm.” Wolfgang Muthspiel (Austrian guitarist and composer, jazz musician)
“... Brilliantly composed and amazingly played! I listen with excitement, surprise, and enthusiasm! It’s simply unbelievably well played, it doesn’t get any better!” Nikolaus Harnoncourt ( Austrian conductor, cellist, music author)
Ensemble:
Matthias Bartolomey: Violoncello
Klemens Bittmann: Violin & mandolin
The 2 Austrians Klemens Bittmann and Matthias Bartolomey have been working as a duo together since 2012.
Klemens Bittmann has always been on the search for the crossover region. After studying violin at the Graz University of Music & Performing Arts, he went on to study jazz violin with Didier Lockwood in Paris. Collaborations with the accordionist Klaus Paier, the guitarists Alegre Correa and Wolfgang Muthspiel, the trio Folksmilch, and as a duo with the woodwind player Georg Gratzer all helped determine Bittmann’s career as a performing artist, as did his job teaching at the University of Art in Graz. As an arranger, he made his mark for his groundbreaking ACT recording of the radio.string.quartet.vienna “Celebrating The Mahavishnu Orchestra”.
Matthias Bartolomey’s background is more frimly rooted in western art music. After graduating from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, and the Mozarteum in Salzburg, he played in the orchestra for the Viennese State Opera, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Since 2010 he has been solo cellist for the Concentus Musicus Wien, founded by Nikolaus Harnoncourt. (Source: ACT Deutsches Jazz-Musiklabel, www.actmusic.com)
Ever since the beginning of their collaboration, the BartolomeyBittmann duo have dedicated themselves to the development of their own progressive repertoire for their instruments which are strongly rooted in the tradition of classical music. From the beginning, the focus of both musicians was on their own compositions and on experimenting with new ways of playing the cello, violin, and mandolin. Their musical spectrum now ranges from weighty rock riffs and virtuosic unison passages through to intimate grooves and sentimental cantilenas. Their focus is to be constantly searching for the acoustic essence of their instruments without the use of electronics or effects units. In contrast to the fast pace of our present times, Matthias Bartolomey and Klemens Bittmann planned their duo as a long-term project right from the outset, whereby they continually develop perfection of their interplay. They have realised their musical statement in a variety of concert tours together and intensive phases of composition. In their new programme z e h n, the 2 musicians are celebrating their 10th year together as an ensemble, and will be performing current pieces that for the most part were written during the pandemic lockdown.
“Seldom have string players been heard who dedicate themselves so completely to the groove. The BartolomeyBittmann duo present their musical virtues in a light-footed way that is not usually to be experienced with classical musical instruments: an unbridled joy in playing, and radical rhythm.” Wolfgang Muthspiel (Austrian guitarist and composer, jazz musician)
“... Brilliantly composed and amazingly played! I listen with excitement, surprise, and enthusiasm! It’s simply unbelievably well played, it doesn’t get any better!” Nikolaus Harnoncourt ( Austrian conductor, cellist, music author)
Ensemble:
Matthias Bartolomey: Violoncello
Klemens Bittmann: Violin & mandolin
