Korhan Erel & Mark Lotz
compositions and improvisations in contemporary music
Le Son Du Grisly (Canada)
“But the most beautiful snapshots are between the assets of the flutist and Korhan Erel: between aboriginal winds and an electronic gargles some strong ideas are accomplished here.”
NYC Jazz City Records, Downtown Gallery (NYC, USA)
“The interaction is extremely solid, spirited and filled with surprises twists and turns.”
Bad Alchemy (Germany)
“To most striking interactions specifically count Lotz flute within the electron bombardment of Erel, above all, the animalistic tracks ‚Throat’ and Mouthharp’.”
Citizen Jazz (France)
“It is difficult to separate the electronic breath abrasions; persistent alchemy signing the strong bond between Lotz and Erel. ‘Mouthstrap’ and its synthetic ringing evokes a Tibetan temple revisited by musique concrete.”
Korhan Erel and Mark Lotz met in Istanbul 2010 were they recorded the CD ‘Istanbul Improv Sessions may 4th’ with Islak Köpek. This release featured three duets of Lotz and Erel and marked the beginning of a duo of two contemporaries in electro-acoustic music.
Computer sounds and textures played with various controllers come together with a vast selection of flutes and playing techniques to create an energetic flow of spontaneous ideas. Improvisation and composition, merging influences from diverse musical and sonic backgrounds. Mark Alban Lotz and Korhan Erel generate a sparse atmosphere of surprise and tension as they communicate through tones, sounds, textures and noise.
Korhan Erel
laptop, controllers, sound processing
Korhan Erel is a Turkish computer musician, improviser and sound designer currently based in Berlin. As a founding member of Islak Köpek, Turkey’s pioneer free improvisation group, he is a key player in Istanbul’s vibrant experimental music culture. His process of instrument design is based on live manipulations of field recordings, found sounds and electronic sounds using wireless controllers, resulting in instruments that create space around them for collaborators to participate. Korhan seeks new ways of integrating the computer as a conventional instrument in free improvisation and new music ensembles through his instrument Omnibus.
Among his collaborators are: Le Quan Ninh, Michel Doneda, Richard Nunns, Tolga Tüzün, David Rothenberg, Karlheinz Essl, Robert van Heumen, Kirstie Simpson, Wilbert de Joode, Wolter Wierbos, etc.
Korhan’s passion and inspiration lies in creating sonic patterns, textures for visual work. Korhan’s sound design for theater, video and dance has been featured in festivals in Istanbul and Europe. He designed sound for three theater pieces and has ongoing collaborations with Vienna-based video artist Alexandra Reill and London-based Turkish visual artist Burcu Yağcıoğlu.
Released five albums. Performed in Austria, Holland, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Turkey, United Kingdom. Mexico.
Mark Alban Lotz
piccolo, concert-, alto-, bass-, pvc contra bass flutes, prepared flute, game calls, voice, fx
Veracious improviser and composer who is transporting his fascinating horn into new areas of cutting edge contemporary music.
Owns a distinctive personal language that combines esthetics and techniques of contemporary and classical music with the virility of jazz. Even when stripped to the essence Lotz conveys a joyful catchiness here.
A vibrant presence on the international scene, with solo performances which took him all over the globe. A significant figure on the Dutch improvised music scene for around 30 years, both as leader of his groups and part of ensembles of prominent artists. Composed for setting ranging from solo to Piano Trio, String Quartet, large Ensemble. His many collaborations received high acclaim.
Professor for flute at the Utrecht and Rotterdam Conservatories.
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Press CD Istanbul Improv Sessions May 4th
“This music is slithering and shaking with life.”