Jazz ensemble from Germany performing in Moers' "Somewhere in the World"...
Reimagining Music from a Dark Era: Jazz Revives the Sounds of Persecuted Composers
Get ready to experience a unique fusion of music, history, and contemporary finesse as the Federal Jazz Orchestra, under the artistic direction of Prof. Niels Klein, breathes new life into compositions from composers who were silenced during the National Socialism era. The event, titled "Bujazzo," takes place on June 9th at 4:15 PM in Halle (entry only with festival ticket).
Take, for instance, Bronisław Kaper, a composer who experienced the cold hands of impending persecution in Berlin and fled to the USA in 1933. There, he became a film composer, creating some of the jazz standards we know today. His compelling pieces, documented in sheet music, serve as the basis for the orchestra's innovative big band arrangements.
Joining Kaper's works in the program are compositions by Kurt Lewinnek, Friedrich Hollaender, and Werner R. Heymann. Expect a refreshing spin on pieces like "Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt" (Hollaender), "While My Lady Sleeps" (Kaper), and "Irgendwo auf der Welt" (Heymann), portrayed in modern jazz, avant-garde, or newly interpreted Schlager, all showcasing the Federal Jazz Orchestra's signature sound.
Prof. Niels Klein, along with musicologists Prof. Dr. Dörte Schmidt and Prof. Dr. Matthias Pasdzierny, curate this project. Renowned jazz composers like Claudia Döffinger, Christian Elsaesser, Theresia Philipp, Fabia Mantwill, Johannes Lauer, and Niels Klein himself, have been commissioned to reinterpret historical piano scores for the jazz orchestra.
This intriguing initiative isn't just about reviving music; it's also a tribute to the artists who faced persecution under National Socialism. By uniting past and present, "Bujazzo" honors their legacy while bringing their music to a new generation. So, if you're – like these composers – ready to embrace love "from head to toe" or long for a distant world – come join the conversation at Moers Festival's homepage: https://www.moers-festival.de/programm/programmpunkt/bundesjazzorchester-bujazzo-de-2025-06-09-16-15-00/
This project is more than just music; it's a testament to the enduring power of art, and a compelling reminder of the resilience that has kept music alive – even in the face of adversity.
Explore the fusion of historical compositions and modern jazz as the Federal Jazz Orchestra performs reinterpreted works by Bronisław Kaper, Kurt Lewinnek, Friedrich Hollaender, and Werner R. Heymann, offering an other-worldly entertainment experience. Delve into 'Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt' (Hollaender), 'While My Lady Sleeps' (Kaper), and 'Irgendwo auf der Welt' (Heymann), all given a contemporary twist as part of their unique program.
