U. Schlumberger, K. Krasteva, Stuttgarter Philharmoniker: INTO THE DEPTHS OF TIME

The successful live recording of Toshio Hosokawa's central work "In der Tiefe der Zeit," performed in April 2002 at the Gustav-Siegle-Haus in Stuttgart, served as the starting point for further recordings with Krassimira Krasteva and Ulrich Schlumberger in November 2002. The consistent inclusion of the accordion led to a completely new listening experience. It highlights the strong sonic affinity of the accordion to the Japanese 'Sho,' both instruments drawing on the tone generation of the freely vibrating metal tongue dating back to 2700 BC. This can be seen as further evidence of Hosokawa's role in bridging cultures.

Hosokawa's music, known for its meditative beauty, is likely to captivate not only connoisseurs of contemporary classical music. This CD defies the stereotypes of the accordion associated with folk music and avoids the indigestible aspects of new music, making its compilation unique.

Ulrich Schlumberger (born 1969) studied at the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen with Jozef Bugala and in the accordion class of Prof. Hugo Noth at the State University of Music in Trossingen, as well as with Prof. Mie Miki at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Duisburg. He has received multiple awards and prizes. His concerts with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, European Art Orchestra, and Münchner Symphoniker have been broadcast on radio and TV and released on CD productions.

Krassimira Krasteva (born 1979) began studying at the Stuttgart University of Music with Prof. Peter Buck (Melos Quartet) at the age of 16 and has won multiple awards. She has attended masterclasses with Francois Guye, Jerun Roelling, Claus Kanngiesser, Friedemann Rieger, Ulf Tischbirek, and the Trio 'op. 8'. Currently, Krassimira Krasteva is studying at the University of Music in Trossingen with Prof. Jean-Guihen Queyras.

Bernd Ruf is considered one of the most prominent cross-genre musicians in the German music scene. The former assistant to Dennis Russell Davies and guest conductor of the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker and Stuttgarter Kammerorchester focuses on merging and juxtaposing classical, contemporary, jazz, and world music. As conductor of the European Pops Orchestra, he was nominated for a Grammy in the USA.

"[...] I am very pleased that you have worked so intensively with the poetry of my music [...] 'Melodia' and 'Sen' are beautiful! I very much like your interpretation." - Toshio Hosokawa