Maria Gstättner
Improviser*Composer-Performer
With bassoon and voice as an international soloist in various ensembles (e.g. Klangforum Wien) and orchestras (Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra), also active in free jazz (e.g. sonic fiction orchestra), free improvisation and world music. Numerous world premieres (e.g. Bassoon Sonata F. Cerha) and participation in recordings and own productions. As a composer, she has been continuously commissioned (e.g. Wien Modern) and awarded scholarships (e.g. state scholarship for composition), as well as theater productions (e.g. Burgtheater Vienna) and interdisciplinary works (e.g. cultural museum Chicago).
Senior lecturer at the mdw and artistic researcher (Dr. artium), coordinator of the CAP (Contemporary Arts Practice) master’s program at the mdw. www.magst.at
“Sound as a Medium”
In this lecture performance, Maria Gstättner talks about her experience of how sound becomes a medium in free improvisation – a fleeting mediator between body and space, an impulse for transformation. It is about those moments in which the inexpressible takes shape and condenses into sound, breath and silence.
Stefan Heckel, is an experienced improvising musician and teacher, who will “install” a suitable atmosphere for spontaneity and “deep listening” for a constructive improvising togetherness. Everyone interested in interdisciplinary improvisation (music, dance, movement, visual arts) is invited. Instruments can be brought along, amplification is possible after consultation with the event team.”
As a Jazz pianist, improviser and educator he is the Founder of the interdisziplinary improvisation group at the KUG Graz, and coordinator of the music community Meet4Music.
He was born in Graz where he studied jazz piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts and composition at the Royal Academy of Music London. His ensembles include the Stefan Heckel Group and he has worked with Julian Argüelles, Sainkho Namtchylak, John Edwards, Frank Gratkowski, Annette Giesriegl, Angela Tröndle’s Mosaik, Irina Karamarkovic’ Songs From Kosovo, Nenad Vasilic Balkan Band and Mélange Oriental. Participation in festivals as soloist, ensemble member and composer: Pablo Casals (2009/2011), Sounding Jerusalem, Boswiler Sommer, International Summer Academy Vienna-Prague-Budapest, Styrian Chamber Music Festival, Cultural Capital Graz 2003, Bach Festival Riga, Accordion Festival Vienna, Graz Religious Concerts and many more. Theater music for the Komödienspiele Porcia and the Next Liberty Kinder- und Jugendtheater Graz; collaboration with the painter Giulio Camagni and the children’s book author Heinz Janisch. Winner of the “Harry Pepl Prize 2010”. Stefan Heckel lives and works in Vienna and Graz. He teaches at the Jazz Institute of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. From 2012-2017 he was chairman of the Pop&Jazz Platform of the AEC. He is currently a member of the AEC working group for “Diversity, Identity & Inclusiveness”
