The Percussive Planet (2011)

"Martin Grubinger juggles with rhythm in the craziest ways. Possessed of the most breathtaking energy, he also manages to create new worlds of sound. The musical discovery as seen here, took place at the Philharmonie in Cologne in 2010. Named after his ensemble, The Percussive Planet took his audience to all five continents. Xenakis' Okho (1989) especially turns out to be a seismograph registering archaic, African shock waves. Starting out from the simplest of rhythms, the piece builds to a complex and yet elemental-seeming web of voices. Matthias Schmitt's Ghanaia II (1996) is intended as an homage to the rhythms of Ghana and to the wisdom of Ghanaians. The piece was originally scored for marimba solo, but Grubinger has rearranged it by adding various other African instruments. Australian Rod Lincoln's Moods for interaction (1985) is transcribed for large brass ensemble, piano and five percussionists. Just kiddin' (1985) is a latin jazz classic by Dominican jazz pianist Michel Camilo." (Guido Fischer)