A FAR CRY

After being regarded as an insider tip for some years, the chamber orchestra A Far Cry has had a series of rapturously received triumphant successes and is now recognized as THE young American string orchestra of our day. Based in Boston, the ensemble has a strikingly unconventional and refreshing approach to musicmaking.
All the works the “Criers”, as they call themselves, perform, are rehearsed in constantly changing small groups, with every player taking his or her turn as leader. There is no conductor.
The New York Times had the highest praise for this unusual collective group, making particular mention of the strong and varied personalities of its members.
The young musicians’ express goal is to combine the power of the orchestral sound with the intimacy of a string quartet.
Which they succeed in doing with staggering success.

Schirmer first got to know members of A Far Cry when he was on a concert tour in Germany in 2009. In the same year he accepted their invitation to come to Boston, where they performed their first Mozart concerto in the city’s venerable old Jordan Hall.

In Markus Schirmer’s own words: “The way these full-blooded young musicians work impressed me deeply and I was inspired by their commitment and enthusiasm.
It was obvious to me that we had to do more together.”

[encode_email email=“http://www.markusschirmer.at/music/discography/the-mozart-sessions?lang=en“ display=“CD ‚The Mozart Sessions'“]

[encode_email email=“?subject=markusschirmer.at – mail order&body=I hereby order … copies of the CD ‚The Mozart Sessions‘ at 20 Euros per CD incl. VAT.<br />Postage and packing (private customers only, flat rates regardless of order size): 3 Euros in Austria, 6 Euros to all other European countries. Quotes for postage and packing to countries outside Europe available on request.<br /><br />I have read the General Terms of Business (AGB) at http://www.markusschirmer.at/general-terms-and-conditions?lang=en and accept them.“ display=“Order now“]

 

The Mozart Sessions

The recordings for Markus Schirmers CD „THE MOZART SESSIONS“ were made in the famous acoustic of Jordan Hall/Boston. Sound engineer was the young Jesse Lewis, winner of various Grammys, sensitively assisted by the experienced classical CD producer Roger Tapping.

The CD features Mozart’s Piano Concertos no.12 in A major K 414 and no.13 in C major
K 415, and the Church Sonata in C major K 336. The majority of the cadences and
lead-ins are by Schirmer himself.

From the very first bars one feels that the collaboration between the Austrian pianist and the young US-Americans is inspired and extremely exhilarating.

Mozart on tour

Markus Schirmer & A Far Cry have done two Austrian concert tours so far – withMozart piano concerti KV 413, KV 414 and KV 415.

Their performances were received ecstatically by audiences at such venues as the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna, the Festspielhaus in Bregenz and the Stefaniensaal in Graz. As well as already being counted amongst the absolute highlights of the present season, these concerts were also acclaimed with rapturous reviews in leading Austrian newspapers:
“What energy, what joy in music-making, overflowing with power and vigour: a sensational European debut!”, “A total revelation”, “World-class performers”, “A declaration of love from beginning to end”.

Links

• A short audio-visual insight into the work of Markus Schirmer & A Far Cry can be enjoyed here:

• Interesting background information can also be found on the orchestra’s own website: www.afarcry.org