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Christian Lillinger
Stemeseder Lillinger + Craig Taborn: Umbra III
by Mark Corroto
Sometimes, the subversion of established paradigms unfolds through incremental variations and subtle shifts in the status quo--so gradual they can be almost imperceptible. Other times, transformation arrives in the form of unexpected revolutions, seismic and undeniable. Somewhere between these two extremes lie the musical experiments of Elias Stemeseder and Christian Lillinger. The Austrian-German duo--pianist, composer, and electronic musician Elias Stemeseder and drummer, composer, and producer Christian Lillinger--conceived Umbra, a modular ensemble framework that interweaves musical notation with fluid ...
Continue ReadingElias Stemeseder / Christian Lillinger: Umbra II
by John Sharpe
Austrian pianist Elias Stemeseder and German drummer Christian Lillinger capture the Zeitgeist in a nervy, occasionally anxiety inducing, pairing under the moniker Umbra. Although extant as a duet, they often supplement the numbers with like-minded collaborators, and on Umbra II trumpeter Peter Evans and bassist Russell Hall take to the full on interaction like ducks to water. Unlike their debut recording, this time out they swear off the electronics for an all acoustic outing, although, truth be told, such is ...
Continue ReadingStemeseder Lillinger Quartet feat. Peter Evans & Russell Hall: Umbra II
by Glenn Astarita
Imagine a musical universe where jazz's avant-garde explorers join forces with the precision of Swiss watchmakers. In this paradoxical realm, the Stemeseder Lillinger Quartet thrives, crafting intricate sonic tapestries that defy conventional melodic structures. At the helm of this audacious ensemble are Elias Stemeseder (piano) and Christian Lillinger (drums), two maverick minds whose collaborative chemistry could power a small city. The Quartet features Russell Hall (bass) and Peter Evans (trumpet), crafting a complex and intriguing follow-up album with Umbra II. ...
Continue ReadingGordon Grdina & Christian Lillinger: Duo Work
by Glenn Astarita
This album features a collaboration between Gordon Grdina on guitar and MIDI-guitar, and Christian Lillinger on drums. The project highlights their combined efforts in composition and improvisation, with most pieces jointly composed by Grdina and Lillinger, except for tracks 1, 5, 8, and 12, credited to Grdina alone. This is an enthralling exploration of sound and collaboration. It opens with the cacophonous track “Song One" setting the tone for the entire recording. Grdina's use of MIDI guitar adds ...
Continue ReadingGrdina/Lillinger: Duo Work
by Troy Dostert
One would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile guitarist than Gordon Grdina, who somehow manages to try something different with each release. And he is no slouch in terms of productivity either; with at least a dozen releases since 2020, this is an artist who requires multiple palettes. His sensitivity on the oud is one of his most remarkable traits; witness his superb playing on the Persian-inspired The Marrow (Attaboygirl Records, 2024) with vocalist Fathieh Honari as proof. As ...
Continue ReadingNew Old Luten Trio: Trident Juncture
by Glenn Astarita
In 2023, the New Old Luten Trio album on Euphorium Records featured, albeit posthumously, the legendary Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky who was Germany's answer to the avant-garde saxophone. Known affectionately as Luten Petrowsky, his reeds here join forces with Elan Pauer on piano and Christian Lillinger's drumming wizardry. This near hour-long extravaganza, recorded back in 2016, at Leipzig's naTo, is not just music; it is a spirited rendezvous of improvisation--a testament to a decade of the trio's synergy. Hence, a musical homage ...
Continue ReadingGrdina Maneri Lillinger: Live at the Armoury
by Doug Collette
In recent years, Gordon Grdina has proved himself to be as passionate as he is prolific, not to mention versatile. Further affirmation aplenty of all those virtues, the forty-five minutes of Live At The Armoury stand as a showcase not only for the Canadian's adept management of shared moments of spontaneity, but also for that of his collaborators. During these kinetic interactions between Grdina and his two kindred spirits, viola player Mat Maneri and drummer Christian Lillinger, the ...
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Music
Song One
From: Duo WorkBy Christian Lillinger
Impending Discomfort
From: KlotskiBy Christian Lillinger
