The concert of Irène Schweizer (piano) and Pierre Favre (drums) on the festival stage in Ulrichsberg 2003 was a magical event: «In Ulrichsberg, there was a rare energy,» Favre said after the concert. «The trajectory of the music is compelling. Everything forms a single whole.» The CD Irène Schweizer-Pierre Favre «Ulrichsberg» (Intakt CD 084) documents the entire live set of the Ulrichsberg concerts from May 2, 2003. Not one sound was too much. The recording is a document of a strong rhymically formed art of improvisation, a beaming joy of playing and a great musical masterwork after working together for a good 40 years. «Over the years, a friendship has developed that, beyond the music, connects us in many ways. We've been able to maintain a difficult balance between nearness and distance in our work,» says Irène Schweizer in a comprehensive interview in the CD booklet. And Pierre Favre complements her: «That helps keep our encounters and our concerts fresh, and we're constantly surprised. Without risk, there isn't any living communication.»

Engineer: Hubert Hawel
Cover Art: Andrea Alteneder
Liner Notes: Patrik Landolt
Photos: Francesca Pfeffer

All compositions by Irène Schweizer and Pierre Favre (SUISA). Recorded Mai, 2, 2003, at Ulrichsberger Kaleidophon 2003 by ORF. Engineer: Hubert Hawel. Recording Supervisor: Alice Ertlbauer-Camerer. Mixed and mastered August 2003 by Martin Pearson. Produced, published and copyright by Intakt Records. Executive production: Patrik Landolt