Florian Kästner "Gleiswechsel" Record Release
Indeed: this is Florian Kästner's first solo record. Of course, he also shows himself here as a great pianist and composer, as someone who grew up in classical music and became great in jazz.
Florian, what is "track change" for you?
"I would describe the album as a snapshot of my almost obsessive musical playfulness, and the essence of my idea of jazz."
Which is essentially about the relationship between improvisation and composition, right?
"It has always bothered me when one perceives a strong break between theme and improvisation in jazz pieces. My intention is to make music in such a way that the piece "continues to compose itself". Ideally, form and development blur imperceptibly for the listener, that is, he perceives, if at all, only a soft transition between composition (form) and improvisation (development).
The piano as a solo instrument enables me to completely determine form and its shaping myself and in the moment. Improvisation over pre-composed forms is one thing, improvisation as now-composing is another."
And how does that work, the free now-composing?
"The music plays through me. It begins where I stop controlling and expecting. The most difficult thing is to gain this freedom, not to think, not to expect anything, to put full trust in my ability and musicality, to accept the possible failure. - Over the years of trying and failing, I now see myself rising to this challenge..."