Entartete Musik (‘degenerate music’) was the term applied to music in Germany after 1933 (when Hitler became Chancellor) that did not fulfil the expectations of culture according to Joseph Goebbels and the Nazi party. The most ‘Entartete’ instrument of all was the saxophone, with its strong link to jazz and Afro-American culture, and various composers – many of them Jewish – who were not in line with anti-Semitic and Arian ideas found themselves in an impossible position with regard to art and life alike. Some, such as Bernard Heiden, managed to escape; some, such as Ernst-Lothar von Knorr, used their connections to survive in Nazi society. Among the less fortunate was Erwin Shulhoff, who died in a concentration camp in 1942.

This project, then, brings together the works of a variety of composers who shared the same struggle to express themselves under a regime determined to stifle their work. From the playful and parodic work of Paul Dessau to Shulhoff’s bold and biting Hot-Sonate, Entartete Musik is a new look at European history during some of its most difficult years. The works are performed by the internationally acclaimed Duo Disecheis (David Brutti: saxophone, Filippo Farinelli: piano), regulars at festivals and concert halls the world over.

PROGRAM

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Paul DESSAU (1894-1979) Suite (1935)

Paul HINDEMITH (1895-1963) Sonate (1943)

Wolfgang JACOBI (1894-1972) Sonata (1932)

Ernst Lothar Von KNORR (1896-1973) Sonate (1932)

Erwin SCHULHOFF (1894-1942) Hot-Sonate (1930)

Bernhard HEIDEN (1910-2000) Sonate (1937)

BIO

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The Duo Disecheis was formed in November 2001 by the saxophonist David Brutti and the pianist Filippo Farinelli with the common goal of disseminating 20th-century and contemporary chamber music. They studied with Pier-Narciso Masi at “Accademia Pianistica Internazionale – Imola” where they got their “Master Diploma” and with Angelo and Francesco Pepicelli.

From 2001 to 2008 the Duo Disecheis was awarded in more than fifteen national and international competitions including the Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition 2007 – Amsterdam, 13th “Luigi Nono” International Chamber Music Competition – Turin, 8th Città di Roma Prize, 27th “F. Cilea” Chamber Music Competition – Palmi, 21st International Chamber Music Competition – Trapani, 18th “Provincia di Caltanissetta” International Competition, 11th “Riviera del Conero” International Competition – Ancona, 3rd “F. Feroci” Chamber Music Competition – San Giovanni Valdarno (Florence), and the 7th “Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa” Chamber Music Competition in Potenza.

The Duo Disecheis has collaborated with many composers, such as Fabio Cifariello-Ciardi, Marco Momi, Stefano Trevisi, Marco Marinoni, Paolo Baioni, Dimitri Nicolau, Christina Athinodorou. In 2003 the Duo Disecheis performed a live concert at RAI Radio3 broadcast on contemporary literature for bass saxophone and prepared piano.

The duo appears in the greatest concert halls and festivals of the world, such as the Muziekgebouw (Amsterdam), Sala dei Notari (Perugia), European University Institute (Fiesole, Florence), RAI Radio 3 (Rome), Teatro F. Stabile (Potenza), Teatro Ariston (Trapani), Teatro Lirico Sperimentale (Ancona), Casa della Cultura “L. Repaci” (Palmi, Reggio Calabria), Mallorca Saxophone Festival (2013), Aula Gallega de Saxofón (Santiago de Compostela), the 2006 World Saxophone Congress (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Amici della Musica Associations of Modena and Catanzaro, Ateneo Musica Basilicata (Potenza), “Compositori a Confronto” 2004 (Reggio Emilia), Yamaha Musica Italia (Milan), 6th Chamber Music Festival (Lucca) and “Automne Musical à Chatellerault 2007” (Poitiers, France).

The Duo has recorded for RAI RadioTre, Materiali Sonori, MaxResearch, Domanimusica and since 2009 they are Brilliant Classics artists; in 2012 has been released a triple CD: “Charles Koechlin – Complete Works for Saxophone”, including “15 études Op.188” for alto saxophone and piano, “7 pièces Op.180” for tenor saxophone and piano and “Deux sonatines Op.194” for soprano saxophone and piano. Recently has been released a new box set, always published and produced by Brilliant Classics: “Entartete Musik for saxophone and piano” including works by Erwin Schulhoff, Paul Dessau, Viktor Ullmann, Paul Hindemith, Hans Gal, Ernst-Lothar von Knorr, Wolfgang Jacobi. The duo also made the world premiere recording of Jean Françaix’s “Neuf Historiettes” for baritone voice, tenor saxophone and piano (CD Maxresearch DL018).  

PRESS

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“As the CD cover implies, star of the show on these three discs is saxophonist David Brutti, who appears as soloist, as one half of the Duo Disecheis, a quarter of the Atem Saxophone Quartet and even in the ensemble of the Orchestra Città Aperta. His tonal colourings are lustrous and luxurious, his phrasing natural and gratifying. Running a close second is Filippo Farinelli, pianist or conductor on numerous tracks.” (Music Web International)

“The round and mellow sound of David Brutti, his conviction and ability to support without efforts long melodic curves are essential asset for a music that, despite appearances, is not given so easily. The listener spellbound hangs on his singing throughout the enchanted dream which that invite these three magic CDs. “(Michel Fleury – Classica n° 103 march 2014)