Clarinetists Oğuz Büyükberber and Tobias Klein have been working together since 2005. Finely attuned to each other through years of performing together, Büyükberber and Klein use their keen sense for structure to create music, which is free and rigorous at the same time. Büyükberber’s musical work could be heard on over 50 CDs including a recent release on ECM, and Klein co-led many successful bands in the last 20 years including Spinifex, Dalgoo and Trio Almeida-Duynhoven-Klein.
A bag of songs
Having collaborated with musicians such as Simon Nabatov, Wolter Wierbos, Matthias Muche and Sven Hahne before, Büyükberber and Klein are presenting their new project in 2018 – 37Fern – featuring the celebrated soprano Claron McFadden and the immensely talented vocalist Kristina Fuchs.
Inspired by many different styles of music from the extended geographical region known as Asia Minor, the program “A bag of songs” is a mix of originals and arrangements by Büyükberber and Klein. Expect a Thracian wedding dance with a touch of medieval harmony, a jazzy, up beat Persian-Kurdish ritual, an Ottoman classical music piece, multiple folk songs juxtaposed onto one another, all blending the line between composition and improvisation. With the use of all the members of the clarinet family, the two instrumentalists cover an extremely wide range, while singers McFadden and Fuchs constantly sway between taking many different roles. 37Fern aims for a unique and dynamic chamber music experience.
Claron McFadden does not really need further introduction, not only a soprano celebrated worldwide; she is also a fantastic improviser. Mostly known for her impressive career as an opera singer, McFadden works regularly with Arditti Quartet, BBC proms, Netherlands Opera and she has found herself often asked to perform with jazz musicians, such as the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, Michiel Borstlap, Chris Hinze, and Aka Moon.
Swiss born all around singer Kristina Fuchs is known for her versatility while maintaining her unique expression. Having participated in a wide range of projects of contemporary composed music, jazz and cross over for twenty years.
Claron McFadden - voice
Kristina Fuchs - voice
Oğuz Büyükberber - bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet
Tobias Klein - bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet