Fred Frith describes the Swiss pianist Katharina Weber as a “piano icon”. The classically trained pianist and composer moves in the large world of today‘s music, where borders no longer exist and new music and jazz improvisation merge. 12 years after her celebrated solo CD Woven Time. In Márta‘s Garden is her second solo album. The musical framework is formed by two piano pieces by György Kurtág dedicated to Márta Kurtág and at the centre is his composition “... eine Wanderung mit Robert Walser ...”. The exchange with the Kurtágs, which has now lasted three decades, has left intensive traces in Katharina Weber‘s work - as a performer, as an improviser and as a composer. “Tall grass, gently moved by the summer wind. An image that is always changing, moving in detail, only seemingly monochromatic. Like György Kurtág, Katharina Weber creates her own sound cosmos. Full of shimmering, delicate flowers, buzzing bees. Inspired by intimate listening in meditative contemplation, not shying away from tonality, but emphasising colour, tonal tensions and overtones – at the same time an invitation and space for deeper listening, pondering, spinning forth,” writes Nina Polaschegg in the liner notes.

Cover art: Christiane Lenz
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder
Liner notes: Nina Polaschegg
Photo: Palma Fiacco

All Compositions by Katharina Weber (an und für…) except track 1 and 19 by György Kurtág (Játékok III, IX). Recorded by Michael Brändli at Werkstatt Gebrüder Bachmann in Wetzikon on April, 23 and 24 2022. Mixed by Michael Brändli, Katharina Weber and Anja Illmaier on June 29 2022 at Hardstudios in Winterthur. Produced and published by Intakt Records, P.O.Box. 8024 Zürich, Switzerland.