Vardah - CD

Vardah (Urdu: the rose), a cyclone that Lukas Mantel experienced himself in Chennai in 2017, reflects the programme of this band. The force of the music is more controlled and not as unbridled as the tropical hurricane, yet it remains wild and unpredictable! The sextet's musicians, all renowned virtuosi, put themselves entirely at the service of Lukas Mantel's compositions by invigorating and impassioning the musical score, while all solos and improvisations keep in view the overall form at all times. In alternating instrumental groups of various sizes, the sextet creates a vine-like harmonic and melodic fabric that develops organically. The music spans a wide range of rhythmic complexity and folkloresque melodies. The uniqueness of this music lies in the synthesis of archaic freedom and mutual development of a complex structure, and this is what makes it haunting and deeply affecting. "Incredible energy, great compositions and wild band sound - this is a band you'll want to hear more of!" (Nils Wogram)