With this album, the Puls Ensemble from Bremen celebrates its debut record. In an exciting lineup consisting of marimba (Felix Ernst), violin (Marijke Tjoelker), and clarinet/saxophone (Jonathan Jehle), the ensemble interprets contemporary music by American composers Marc Mellits and Kevin Puts with groove, dynamics, and a rich palette of colors. And, as the trio themselves say: with a good dose of humanity and tolerance. A pulse may be relaxed but can also appear excited, fast, and restless. It can be predictable and soothing, or cause unrest through constant variation and unpredictability. But ultimately, it is the pulse that holds everything together. The opening eight-part piece "Tapas" by Mellits convinces with its combination of driving rhythms, ascending lyricism, and colorful orchestration. The writer is considered one of the leading American composers of his generation and has arranged this characteristic work of his in various instrumentations. Kevin Puts, a winner of many prestigious awards, including the Grammy and the Pulitzer Prize, had his music characterized by the New York Times as both "cozy and driving". His 2001 composition "And Legions Will Rise" is devoted to the indomitable inner forces that awaken when needed to carry us through difficult times. On this album of the newly formed ensemble, these two works combine to form a cohesive and organic arc.
Recorded in August 2021 at the Sendesaal Bremen.
Extra material for download
