5/8erl in Ehr'n - Opener: Violetta Parisini

A contemporary formation from the Ländle, in the classic big band tradition, takes the soul of the German capital into its midst and styles its hair forward with a full blower. Irresistible!

5/8erl in Ehr'n is one of the most successful bands from Vienna in recent years, which has created its own genre with Viennese soul: Inimitable two-part singing with extraordinary - and often extraordinarily beautiful - lyrics. Dreamy excursions into the "far country", as Schnitzler once called the soul, and edgy irony from everyday life in Austria. Delicate, butterfly-wing-like ballads and fast grooves - everything is possible here.

The music of the Achterln has always been characterized by soul, funk and reggae; but in the splendid setting of this program, it also takes on a dazzling energy, powerful yet playful, light as a feather yet supported by a weighty sound.

The Vorarlberg Jazz Orchestra, a contemporary formation in the classical big band tradition, takes the 5/8erl voices into its midst and styles their hair forward with a full blower.

Incidentally, the bands are almost the same age: trumpeter Martin Eberle (Kompost 3, 5K HD etc.) founded the Vorarlberg Jazz Orchestra together with saxophonist Martin Franz in 2005. A year later, 5/8erl in Ehr'n came together in Vienna.

The instrumental trio of Achterl Liebermann-Scheutz-Wenger combined with drummer Christian Eberle and keyboarder Benny Omerzell to form an irresistible new whole. With Omerzell and Wenger, two keyboard wizards are at work.

The arrangements are more than just large orchestral expansions; rather, they lend the pieces one or two new dimensions, when a glistening wind section flashes up between the thirds of the two-part singing, when ecstatic solos underline (or counteract!) what has just been sung, when newly composed instrumental interludes tell their own stories.

How wonderful that such lavishly scored programs are possible in these austere times!