The acoustic bass, the lowest string instrument, is used in many different fields. Be it classical, ethnic or jazz music: the bass has become an indespensible part of the family of musical instruments. Different playing techniques and stylistic characteristics have developed which sometimes seem to exclude one another. Although it is basically the same instrument there are very different ways of playing it.
BASSINSTINCT tries to create music that brings together and utilises all those various playing techniques.
BASSINSTINCT is a journey through the sonic spectres of the acoustic bass, actually by 6 basses performed strictly acoustic and unamplified.
BASSINSTINCT is the search fort he borderline between traditional and new musical styles, the search for the grey area between composition and improvisation. Percussive, orchestral, earthy, groovy and virtuosic.
BASSINSTINCT are Gina Schwarz, Peter Herbert, Tim Dunin, Herbert Mayr, Gerhard Muthspiel and Ernst Weissensteiner. Musicians, who are connected in their search for the deeper meaning of the sound of the bass. 6 outstanding Austrian bassists who come from very different musical backgrounds, they all are based in Vienna except Peter Herbert, who is based in New York and Paris.
Gina Schwarz (*1968) Born in Hollabrunn, Lower Austria, she took lessons at the Conservatory Vienna, at the university Vienna (with Willi Langer) and some lessons with Peter Herbert, as well as studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2002, and further studies in New York with likes like Buster Williams, Cecil McBee, Ron McClure, Dennis Irwin. She recently released a CD as a leader, ‚Schwarzmarkt’ which showcases impressively her abilities as composer, bassist and leader.
Peter Herbert (*1960) Originally from Austria’s most western province of Vorarlberg is an exceptional bassist of international stature who left his traces on more than 100 CD recordings, multiple price winner, bearer of the prestigious Austrian award ‚musician of the year 2001’ (Hans-Koller award), his very personal compositional style with works for orchestras, choir, small ensembles are partly reflected with releases at his own record label Azizamusic ... HOMEPAGE
Tim Dunin (*1969) Born in Canberra, Australia. Since Oct. 2002 Tim is teaching at the University for Music and applied Arts Graz, Departement Oberschützen. He studied with Robert Naim, Paul Morton, Max McBride, got a ‚Bachelor of Music’ Degree, further studies with Prof. Johannes Auersperg, who taught at the time at the same post, Tim is holding now, 1994 he was the principal bassist of the Grazer Symphoniker, from 1995 till 2003 he was a member of the Wiener Philharmoniker and the Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper.
Herbert Mayr (*1961) Originally from upper Austria, he ist the principal bassist of the Wiener Philharmoniker, possibly the most famous orchestra in the world since 1989, before that this brilliant bassist played among others with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Vienna Symphony and as principal bassist at the State Opera of Bavaria. His career speaks for itself, and besides his huge orchestral experience, he also contributes a wide chamber music knowledge.
Gerhard Muthspiel (*1958) From Styria, is the principal bassist since 1989 of the Orchestra at the Wiener Volksoper; as a passionate bassist, who discovered his love for the instrument very late, but nevertheless intense also finished studies in the german language and sports. Besides playing at the Volksoper, he also performed with the famed Klangforum Wien, and now he organises and plays in the group Amarcord Wien, four years ago, it was him, who initiated Bass Instinct ...
Ernst Weissensteiner (*1965) Also from Styria, is the pricipal bassist of the Wiener Symphoniker; he is an exceptional ‚be able to do all’ on the bass, in both fields of classical music and Jazz, many living composers wrote pieces for him to be premiered, he is also teaching at the Conservatory in Vienna.
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ERGEO - Musikverlag Georg Ertl