With a multifaceted portrait of the outstanding German composer (and conductor) Matthias Pintscher (born in 1971), NEOS launches a long-term collaboration with Ensemble Contrechamps intended to comprise several editions in the future.
 
Founded in 1980, this Geneva-based formation has for a long time counted among the top ensembles internationally for contemporary music. They are joined here by the excellent soloists Sylvia Nopper (soprano), Ernesto Molinari (clarinet) and the Basler Madrigalisten Ensemble.

Contrechamps here gives a representative cross section of Pintscher’s œuvre, ranging from evocative solo works to the densely crafted atmospheres and sound fantasticism of his vocal-instrumental ensemble works. The musical direction here remains in the hands of the composer himself, following an internationally successful career as a conductor for many years.

Track Listing:
01] A Twilight’s Song, for soprano and seven instruments (1997)
On a poem by E E Cummings

[02] on a clear day for piano solo (2004)

[03] Monumento V for eight female voices, three violoncellos and ensemble (1998)

Sieben Bagatellen mit Apotheose der Glasharmonika for bass clarinet in B flat (1993, rev.2001)
[04] Bagatelle I
[05] Bagatelle II
[06] Bagatelle III
[07] Bagatelle IV
[08] Bagatelle V
[09] Bagatelle VI
[10] Bagatelle VII
[11] Apotheosis

[12] Janusgesicht for viola and violoncello (2001)

[13] Study II for Treatise on the Veil for violin, viola and violoncello (2006)