Award-winning Julian Skar has a broad background within both pop music and in the contemporary field. For his debut album as a composer he teams up with Ensemble Ernst and pianist Ingrid Andsnes.
This album has an expanding dramaturgy, with the first composition being written for solo piano, moving to piano trio in the second, then piano septet in the third and ending with piano and sinfonietta in the fourth. An important feature in Skar's compositional work is his use of the computer. Algorithms provide the composer with answers to musical questions or problems. The musical elements are created when the composer dissects his own musicality in a conflict between intuition and formalization. The interplay between man and machine - improvisation and sheet music - amplifies the notion of a battle between chaos and order. The album title also relates to this; rebirth after destruction or exhaustion.
Skar's music is complex and intense. He utilizes techniques and rhythmic manoeuvres that really put the musicians to the test ? even more so because the underlying demand is pulse and movement. Ensemble Ernst, under the leadership of Thomas Rimul, are at their best under these conditions. Contributing to the trio and septet, the entire group joins in for the 16 minutes long closing track. Themes from the first piece return, taking on different forms throughout the next three pieces, with variations and deviations which constantly keeps the listener alert and on edge.
Julian Skar studied at The Norwegian Academy of Music and Universität der Künste in Berlin. His artistic production includes operas, musicals, and crossover collaborations with artists such as Nils Bech and Susanna Wallumrød. He has won two Spellemann awards (Norwegian Grammy) as member of Ensemble neoN. The award-winning Ingrid Ansdnes is one of Norway's most sought-after pianists. She made her definite breakthrough with her recording of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations on the album 33+1, which she also performed in Carnegie Hall. Ensemble Ernst is among the leading performers of new music in the Nordic countries.
