Concert Series Announcement

I am very pleased to say that last years “BreakingPoint” Series is going into the next round (I am listening to Coltrane’s Ballad-Album on the old hifi-system of my grandfather while I write this). “ValentinsPoint” will take place every Tuesday from 7pm at Valentins-Stüberl on Donaustraße 112. It will feature local artists with occasional special guests. The Bar is perfectly set in busy Donaustraße and has a cosy, little bit vibe. There is a small stage at the back with a larger room and a bar at the front. 

The concert series purpose is especially to have the artists play their own music. Of all the things I have heard I found it particularly captivating to players and listeners alike to pursue new grounds, based on the history of music we have access to. Also, of all listeners, I found lovers to be the most attentive to the music. It is as if when our heart is full, it opens up even more so to the emotionality of it all. In so far this will also be an event to foster emotional sensitivity.

Podcast Preparations

The Subtitle “A Connection44 Concert Series” emphasises that we are a team of people. (I am changing CDs to Charles Mingus – “Blues and Roots”). We are all somehow magically drawn to Neukölln (44 is Neukölln’s old post office number) and its pulse. It is also the title of our New Podcast Project. We are almost ready to go, and I can’t wait to have my first guest (who is to be announced, we are building anticipation) on the show.

Screening

Also, next week, the 28th of August we will have an extremely special screening. Kazumi Sakamoto created a symbolic and deep movie about romance and tragedy, beautifully and symbolically accurately presented. It will be my honour to deliver a trumpet / acting performance right before the movie on stage. 

Right now (I am writing these particular lines in the train), I am listening to the first of the three Albums of the Week and it is a pleasure for me to introduce to you:

Albums of the Week

Quique Sinesi & Astrud Motura – La Magia

In keeping with its title, this album is poetic, virtuosic and has an other-worldly charm to it. 

Vincent Meissner Trio – Eigengrau

The three young prodigies delivered an intricate musical whole. Henri Reichmann’s drive, Vincent Meissners virtuosity that comes with ease and Josef Zeimetz engaged playing makes this one versatile, complex and very delicate.

Theo Croker – Dream Manifest

An intimate look into the Trumpeter’s musical Mind, blending soulful improvisation with cinematic textures that evoke a dreamlike journey.

At some point I will have to change my approach from Album-Presentation to actual musical critique. Maybe that’s what’s smelling bad about contemporary Music-Journalism: There is only praising. Everyone is playing marvellous, always. Is it not uncommon for someone to fulfil the expected excellency? Did someone put a conceptual boundary somewhere and did not reach far enough above? If yes, why did I not hear about it? These accusations still remain in the subconscious of a whole scene, and unacknowledged shortcomings emerge indirectly anyway. It is like the lake bird that dives for some fish and when resurfacing has a different position. What now looks like gossip or tittle-tattle, treacherous accusations and ignorance was maybe unvoiced critique before. Thus we are truly post-modern: no one is able to say if this or that is top notch, for there are too many possible perspectives to define exceptional works of art, although each of us has a natural feeling for it.

A problem I would like to tackle with my concert series. Each of us somewhere has to live up to the standard of musical prowess that has come before us. “Valentin’s Point” is both playground and vehicle for this purpose. So come around! Each Tuesday from 7pm.

Catch ya,

Fabio