Michael Riessler

Featuring: Markus Stockhausen

1998 release ** "A cosmopolitan synthesis of visionary music and outstanding poetry" is the concept and program of "Honey and Ashes," according to the press release. This claim naturally raises many questions about the work of German saxophonist Michael Riessler: Is it jazz—what constitutes "jazz"? There is little improvisation, as "Honey and Ashes" is largely through-composed. Is it contemporary classical music? Can you find pounding bass drums in classical music? "Honey and Ashes" is a speech performance, a setting of literature to music, or better: a rhythmization of literature. French, English, and German syllables determine the rhythm and arches of Riessler's composition. Fellow musicians such as Renaud Garcia-Fons (bass), Markus Stockhausen (trumpet), and Jean-Louis Matinier (accordion) assist in the implementation of written words and notes, the visionary music. Hard to digest, because of intellectual poetry and music of the same kind? Not necessarily: "Honey and Ashes" is so complex that one can approach the work piece by piece - first the overall impression, then the lyrics, then the grooves and the timbres of the composition."