ARTE Quartett
Encyclopedia
The ARTE Quartett was founded in 1995 by the saxophonists Beat Hofstetter, Sascha Armbruster, Andrea Formenti and Beat Kappeler.
They are mainly committed to contemporary music and to jazz and free improvised music. Since the foundation of the quartet, the four saxophonists have personally cooperated with many composers, which has permitted the group to be involved in the developing process of composing. The ARTE Quartett has premiered a large number of commissions. In their larger projects they also arrange and compose their own music which they present at concerts with a thematically focus. Over the last years ARTE’s projects have included concerts with Urs Leimgruber, Hans Feigenwinter, Terry Riley
, Michael Riessler, Tim Berne
, Fred Frith
, Nick Didkovsky
, Pierre Favre
, Lucas Niggli and Rabih Abou-Khalil
. The quartet tours regularly and plays at various festivals and concert series and has recorded a wide number of new pieces with various national broadcast companies.
Among many festivals and venues the ARTE Quartett played at: Centre Culturel Suisse, Paris (F); Meistersinger Festival, Nürnberg (D); Eremitage, Schwaz (A); Münchner Klaviersommer, München (D); Fest der Künste, St. Moritz (CH); Theater, Basel (CH); Centro Culturale Svizzero, Mailand (I); Istituto Svizzero, Rom (I); Melos-Ethos, Bratislava (SLK); Ultraschall, Berlin (D); Jazzfestival, Schaffhausen (CH); Queen Elizabeth Hall, London Jazz Festival (GB); Instant Chavirés, Paris (F); Bimhuis, Amsterdam (NL), FIMAV, Victoriaville (CA); Porgy & Bess, Wien (AT); Stanser Musiktage, Stans (CH); Off-Beat Festival, Basel (CH).
They are mainly committed to contemporary music and to jazz and free improvised music. Since the foundation of the quartet, the four saxophonists have personally cooperated with many composers, which has permitted the group to be involved in the developing process of composing. The ARTE Quartett has premiered a large number of commissions. In their larger projects they also arrange and compose their own music which they present at concerts with a thematically focus. Over the last years ARTE’s projects have included concerts with Urs Leimgruber, Hans Feigenwinter, Terry Riley
Terry Riley
Terrence Mitchell Riley, is an American composer intrinsically associated with the minimalist school of Western classical music and was a pioneer of the movement...
, Michael Riessler, Tim Berne
Tim Berne
Tim Berne is an American jazz saxophone player and composer.Described by critic Thom Jurek as commanding "considerable power as a composer and ... frighteningly deft ability as a soloist," Berne has composed and performed prolifically since the 1980s...
, Fred Frith
Fred Frith
Fred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, Nick Didkovsky
Nick Didkovsky
Nick Didkovsky is a composer, guitarist, computer music programmer, and leader of the band Doctor Nerve. He is a former student of Christian Wolff, Pauline Oliveros and Gerald Shapiro....
, Pierre Favre
Pierre Favre (musician)
Pierre Favre is a Swiss jazz drummer and percussionist born in Le Locle, Switzerland, perhaps most noteworthy for his work with Irene Schweizer....
, Lucas Niggli and Rabih Abou-Khalil
Rabih Abou-Khalil
-Life:Rabih Abou-Khalil grew up in Beirut and moved to Munich, Germany during the civil war in 1978. He lives part-time in Munich and part-time in the South of France with his wife and two children.-Music:...
. The quartet tours regularly and plays at various festivals and concert series and has recorded a wide number of new pieces with various national broadcast companies.
Among many festivals and venues the ARTE Quartett played at: Centre Culturel Suisse, Paris (F); Meistersinger Festival, Nürnberg (D); Eremitage, Schwaz (A); Münchner Klaviersommer, München (D); Fest der Künste, St. Moritz (CH); Theater, Basel (CH); Centro Culturale Svizzero, Mailand (I); Istituto Svizzero, Rom (I); Melos-Ethos, Bratislava (SLK); Ultraschall, Berlin (D); Jazzfestival, Schaffhausen (CH); Queen Elizabeth Hall, London Jazz Festival (GB); Instant Chavirés, Paris (F); Bimhuis, Amsterdam (NL), FIMAV, Victoriaville (CA); Porgy & Bess, Wien (AT); Stanser Musiktage, Stans (CH); Off-Beat Festival, Basel (CH).
Discography (Selection)
- 1999: Xylem with Urs Leimgruber, STV 003
- 2002: The Sevens with Tim BerneTim BerneTim Berne is an American jazz saxophone player and composer.Described by critic Thom Jurek as commanding "considerable power as a composer and ... frighteningly deft ability as a soloist," Berne has composed and performed prolifically since the 1980s...
, Marc DucretMarc DucretMarc Ducret is a jazz, and avant garde, guitarist, self-taught, who is most well known for his work with saxophonist Tim Berne.-Selected discography:As leader2011 Tower, vol.2...
, David TornDavid TornDavid Torn is an American composer and guitarist.He is known for the organic blending/manipulation of electronic and acoustic instruments and performance techniques that have an atmospheric or textural quality and effect, along with a particular harmonic richness...
. New World Records 80586-2 - 2002: Gang with Hans Feigenwinter, Wolfgang Zwiauer. Altrisuoni AS110
- 2003: e_a.sonata.02 with Urs Leimgruber, Günter MüllerGünter MüllerGünter Müller is an Swiss composer, improviser and visual artist based in Lupsingen, Switzerland.Günter Müller is a German sound artist that originally performed as a percussionist and drummer active primarily in free improvisation....
. for4ears 1447 - 2004: Räuber Kaspar Ewalds Exorbitantes Kabinett, Altrisuoni AS 140
- 2004: Saxophones with Pierre FavrePierre Favre (musician)Pierre Favre is a Swiss jazz drummer and percussionist born in Le Locle, Switzerland, perhaps most noteworthy for his work with Irene Schweizer....
, Michel GodardMichel GodardMichel Godard is a French tuba player and jazz musician.Godard was admitted at the age of 18 to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio-France. His ability to produce overtones and musicality leaves the listener surprised at how light a seemingly cumbersome tuba can sound...
, Intakt Records CD 091 - 2005: ARTE Quartett, MGB CTS-M 95
- 2005: Assassin Reverie with Terry RileyTerry RileyTerrence Mitchell Riley, is an American composer intrinsically associated with the minimalist school of Western classical music and was a pioneer of the movement...
, New World Records 80558-2 - 2006: Reptil Kaspar Ewalds Exorbitantes Kabinett, Altrisuoni AS 198
- 2007: Crash Cruise with Lucas Niggli, Nils WogramNils WogramNils Wogram is a jazz trombonist. He began classical study at twelve and joined the German Federal Jazz Orchestra in 1989. In 1992 he moved to New York City where he lived for a few years...
, Philipp Schaufelberger, Intakt Records CD 130 - 2007: Ice cream time with Nick DidkovskyNick DidkovskyNick Didkovsky is a composer, guitarist, computer music programmer, and leader of the band Doctor Nerve. He is a former student of Christian Wolff, Pauline Oliveros and Gerald Shapiro....
, Thomas Dimuzio, New World Records 80667-2 - 2008: Ritter Kaspar Ewalds Exorbitantes Kabinett, Altrisuoni AS 264
- 2009: Still Urban with Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, Intakt Records CD 155 - 2009: Big Picture with Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
, Lucas Niggli, Katharina Weber, Intakt Records CD 156 - 2009: Different Worlds, Marsyas MAR-1804 2
- 2010: Le Voyage with Pierre FavrePierre Favre (musician)Pierre Favre is a Swiss jazz drummer and percussionist born in Le Locle, Switzerland, perhaps most noteworthy for his work with Irene Schweizer....
, Intakt Records CD 186