Robby Geerken

Sebastian Schunke: Existential Intensities

by Mark Sullivan
December 30, 2023

German composer and pianist Sebastian Schunke has long taken inspiration from Latin music. But, when his album Elusive Beauty (Connector Records, 2018) won one of Latin America's most important music awards--the Premio Internacional presented during the Cubadisco Festival--he had a rare opportunity to engage directly with Cuban musicians. This album is a kaleidoscopic blend of two Cuban ensembles, Schunke's Berlin band and a Berlin-based chamber ensemble. “Abakuá [versión de ritual folclórico Abakuá]" opens the set with Los Muñequitos ...