Polwechsel
Encyclopedia
Polwechsel is a musical group founded in Vienna, Austria in 1993.
Their music has mostly straddled a line between contemporary music and free improvisation
, and is characterized by quiet volume, sustained drones, and slowly-developing structures.
The group was originally composed of double bass
ist Werner Dafeldecker, cellist
Michael Moser, trombonist Radu Malfatti
and guitarist Burkhard Stangl
. Their name came from a voltage adapter
Dafeldecker and Moser found in a second-hand shop.
An appearance at the 1996 LMC Festival in London
garnered the group much attention.
Malfatti left in 1997, and was replaced by saxophonist John Butcher
. With guitarist/laptop computer whiz Fennesz, this lineup recorded Wrapped Islands, which earned much positive critical notice
In around 2004, percussionists Burkhard Beins
and Martin Brandlmayr
joined Polwechsel. In 2008, Burkhard Stangl
left the band and John Butcher
also exited in 2009 leaving Polwechsel as a quartet.
Their music has mostly straddled a line between contemporary music and free improvisation
Free improvisation
Free improvisation or free music is improvised music without any rules beyond the logic or inclination of the musician involved. The term can refer to both a technique and as a recognizable genre in its own right....
, and is characterized by quiet volume, sustained drones, and slowly-developing structures.
The group was originally composed of double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
ist Werner Dafeldecker, cellist
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
Michael Moser, trombonist Radu Malfatti
Radu Malfatti
Radu Malfatti is an Austrian trombone player and composer. He was born in Innsbruck, in the province of Tyrol, on December 16, 1943. He has been described as "among the leaders in redefining the avant-garde as truly on-the-edge art." His work "since the early nineties.....
and guitarist Burkhard Stangl
Burkhard Stangl
Burkhard Stangl is a composer and musician, currently of Vienna, Austria. Using primarily guitar and electronics, he is a prolific performer in the world of electro-acoustic improvisation, having participated on over 50 recordings. One of his most noted recordings is schnee, a duet with Cristof...
. Their name came from a voltage adapter
Transformer
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field...
Dafeldecker and Moser found in a second-hand shop.
An appearance at the 1996 LMC Festival in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
garnered the group much attention.
Malfatti left in 1997, and was replaced by saxophonist John Butcher
John Butcher (musician)
John Butcher is an English tenor and soprano saxophone player who has lived in London since the late 1970s. He began playing at the University of Surrey where he was studying physics...
. With guitarist/laptop computer whiz Fennesz, this lineup recorded Wrapped Islands, which earned much positive critical notice
In around 2004, percussionists Burkhard Beins
Burkhard Beins
Burkhard Beins is a German composer/performer who works with percussion, selected objects and electronics.Living in Berlin since 1995, Beins is active in experimental music and electroacoustic improvisation....
and Martin Brandlmayr
Martin Brandlmayr
Martin Brandlmayr is an Austrian percussionist, drummer, composer and electronic artist.He is widely recognized for his work in a variety of so-called "post-rock" bands, namely Radian, Trapist, and Autistic Daughters, among others...
joined Polwechsel. In 2008, Burkhard Stangl
Burkhard Stangl
Burkhard Stangl is a composer and musician, currently of Vienna, Austria. Using primarily guitar and electronics, he is a prolific performer in the world of electro-acoustic improvisation, having participated on over 50 recordings. One of his most noted recordings is schnee, a duet with Cristof...
left the band and John Butcher
John Butcher (musician)
John Butcher is an English tenor and soprano saxophone player who has lived in London since the late 1970s. He began playing at the University of Surrey where he was studying physics...
also exited in 2009 leaving Polwechsel as a quartet.
Discography
- (1995) Polwechsel – HatOLOGY
- (1999) Polwechsel 2 – HatOLOGY
- (2001) Polwechsel 3 – Durian Records
- (2002) Wrapped Islands (with Christian FenneszChristian FenneszChristian Fennesz is an Austrian guitarist active in electronic music, often credited on albums simply as Fennesz....
) – Erstwhile RecordsErstwhile RecordsErstwhile Records is an independent record label devoted to free improvisation, particularly the electroacoustic variety. Erstwhile was founded by Jon Abbey in 1999, and his knowledgeable personality and tastes are closely identified with the label.Characteristic label artists include guitarist... - (2006) Archives Of The North – HatOLOGY
- (2009) Field (with John TilburyJohn TilburyJohn Tilbury is a British pianist. He is considered one of the foremost interpreters of Morton Feldman's music, and since 1980 has been a member of the free improvisation group AMM.- Early life and education :...
) – HatOLOGY