Event

Duo Controverso

Duo Controverso

Annette Bjorling (Harp)
Kurt Bjorling (Clarinet & Basset Horn)

With sensual, lively, poetic & ecstatic melodies, this ensemble of clarinet & harp takes the listener to a world beyond everyday experience.
Two extraordinary musicians acclaimed for their depth and diversity present a program including New Roots Music, from Klezmer to Turko-Greek, works from late Renaissance Masters to Contemporary Composers, and Jazz - interweaving timeless music and modern thoughts.

As there is hardly any music composed specifically for harp with either clarinet or basset horn, all of the repertoire has been adapted or composed by the performers themselves.

Annette Bjorling (Harp)
Worlds First & Only Klezmer Harpist: beyond merely adapting Jewish tunes to the harp, Annette creates an unique voice that fits naturally within the idiom of Yiddish music. Annette is a member of several performing groups such as Chicago based ensemble J.F.F., and international ensemble Myridin. Annette was musical co-director of the Klezmer Orchester (Germany). She has performed and taught at international harp conferences and music festivals in Europe and North America. Annette is a private teacher for harp in Evanston.

Kurt Bjorling (Clarinet, Basset Horn)
The musical director of the Chicago Klezmer Ensemble and, a member of Brave Old World, Kurt has also toured and recorded with the Klezmatics (New York) and violinist Itzhak Perlman. He has taught klezmer music style and techniques at numerous festivals and workshops in Europe and North America, and he has composed symphonic pieces based on klezmer music. In addition to his Yiddish music, he has been active playing jazz, chamber music and various styles of ethnic music, as well as performing music for theater. Kurt studied clarinet with Lloyd Scott & Larry Combs.