ZEITKRATZER

Modern composition supergroup tackling Kraftwerk material

Zeitkratzer is an ensemble of improvisational and contemporary music based in Berlin, led by Reinhold Friedl. The formation, made up of many international soloists, has played together since 1997 and released many critically acclaimed albums.

The ensemble also works in areas such as noise, pop music and folklore, and has attracted attention with unorthodox projects such as an adaptation of Schönberg's Pierrot Lunaire, Lou Reed's guitar feedbacking piece Metal Machine Music, two albums on folk music and several records that include reinterpretations of electronic music compositions.

Zeitkratzer – who plays an increasingly electronic role when needed – has also interpreted works by Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Cage, James Tenney, La Monte Young, Alvin Lucier and Iannis Xenakis.

In 2017, the group released an album with reinterpretations of early Kraftwerk (listen here), coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the ensemble. They take the kraut sounds (the first Kraftwerk albums are far more rocking than their later electronic leanings) and really jam them up using flutes, clarinets, horns, trombones, harmonium, piano, guitar, drums, cello and double bass. A wonderful jumble of instruments and sounds that will put the songs into a groove that will have you rocking.

Join Zeitkratzer on a trip to Düsseldorf in the young days, back when the music was set free.