The International Nothing
Kai Fagaschinski – clarinet, composition
Michael Thieke – clarinet, composition
website: http://nichts.klingt.org
video demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avRCEx6DC9E
Michael Thieke and Kai Fagaschinski build a DIY chamber music unit, working collectively on their own compositions. In their pieces the two clarinets merge into one sound, which often sounds like more than two instruments. Through the delicate use of multiphonics, beat frequencies and difference tones a unique duo style has been developed. Even though the music is played and presented purely acoustically, it has a strong association with electronic music.
The duo has played all over Europe and toured North America. They‘ve presented their music at festivals like Donaueschinger Musiktage (2007), Konfrontationen (Nickelsdorf 2008), Experimental Intermedia (New York 2009), Maerzmusik (Berlin 2009), Serrales em Festo (Porto 2010), Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik (Darmstadt 2012), and Météo Festival (Mulhouse 2012).
For early 2014 the duo is preparing the release of their 3rd album, which will comprice six new compositions of new sonic depth done collectively between 2010 and 2013.
discography:
Mainstream (Ftarri Records, 2006)
Less Action, Less Excitement, Less Everything (Ftarri Records, 2010)
tba (Ftarri Records, 2014)
some words from the press:
“two men capable of blowing poetry through their clarinets … Whatever notation Fagaschinski and Thieke have devised is obviously a good one. It lends their ideas an elegant sense of order and licenses the unforeseen, as difficult-to-realise notation keeps the narrative dangerous and unsteady.”
Philip Clark, The Wire, 08/2010
“The sense of mutual understanding is present throughout what is a consistently impressive album that oozes a delicate subtlety that requires careful listening to get the most out of. Notes swell out of the silence rather than just begin, and they slip away with a similar charm. The attention to detail is remarkable.”
Richard R. Pinnell, The Watchful Ear, 09/2010
„The pieces share a minimalist, ambient atmosphere that gradually reveals itself at a slow, gentle pace. While moments can be somewhat intense, the disc’s overall state is meditative, tranquil and, curiously for its definite “avant” aesthetic, relaxing. Light a candle, soak in a warm bath and let these guys take you on a fascinating voyage.“ Glen Hall, Exclaim, 10/2010
biographies:
Kai Fagaschinski combines abstraction and melodicism as if there never has been any contradiction. As an autodidact he has developed a personal language on his instrument based on the gentle use of multiphonics. He has performed with his projects all over the northern half of the planet. His hard-working bands include Los Glissandinos (with Klaus Filip), a duo with Burkhard Stangl (Musik – Trilogy), The Dogmatics (with pianist Chris Abrahams), and Here Comes The Sun (with Barbara Romen and Gunter Schneider).
http://kylie.klingt.org
Michael Thieke is involved in a number of projects which focus on diverse and contrasting facets of his musical interest from outer jazz areas, free jazz, composed material to more abstract fields of improvisation. He has played all over Europe, North America and Japan. His current projects are The Pitch (with Boris Baltschun, Morten Olsen and Koen Nutters), Unununium (with Luca Venitucci, Eric Schaefer, Derek Shirley, and extentionally with Martin Siewert, Christian Weber and Steve Heather), and Hotelgäste (with Derek Shirley and Dave Bennett).
Together with Christof Kurzmann (laptop & vocals) and Margareth Kammerer (vocals & guitars) Kai and Michael comprice the quartet The Magic I.D., which focused on new experimental song forms. The group has released two well-received albums: Till My Breath Gives Out (Erstwhile 2008) und I‘m So Awake / Sleepless I Feel (Staubgold 2011).