Pianist Kai Schumacher, who has released four solo albums since 2009, is a highly acclaimed crossover artist between classical, avant-garde and pop. With his new album “RAUSCH” the focus is on his very own compositions for the first time. No over-dubs, no electronics. Instead, he has prepared his instrument, with which he performs handmade, percussive sounds.

Even the choice of words for the eight compositions goes beyond the usual format.

Song titles such as “KANTHOLZ” or “BRNFCK” would be more likely to be in the realm of metal or techno, and even “RAUSCH” (a state of euphoria) as the title of the album is open for ambiguities. Is it about excess? Should the sober everyday world be blurred by the music? Do we find ourselves in a state of sensual exaggeration when we listen? Kai Schumacher makes the conditions dance, lets them float, plays a game with acoustic perception. On “RAUSCH” Schumacher docks with energy and vigour to the present time.