WIM MERTENS - Ranges of Robustness . CD

In these ‘special times’- feeling anno 2024 - Wim Mertens investigates different kinds, series and ranges of the notion of ‘robustness’ in his new opus Ranges of Robustness. 

In only 9 compositions all (or at least many) ranges are presented ‘in a way our epoch demands’, in the words of the composer.

His 21-musician ensemble calls on all the musical colours: wood-winds, a special attention to the saxophone section (soprano-, alto-, tenor- and baritone sax), brass, strings and a full rhythm section with acoustic and electric guitars, multiple harps, percussion and the composer himself on the piano.

This extended, contemporary quasi-symphonic approach is needed according to Mertens as an answer to the challenges of ranges of robustness as we experience them today.

With the song Marina’s Music, Mertens, a longtime admirer of her work, offers an ‘homage’ to the Russian poet Marina Tsetajeva (1892-1941).
She functions like a central character - that is lost in a way - among these overwhelming Ranges of Robustness.

Ranges of Robustness
Betont - Matching Markers - The Tinter - Polytics - Earth’s Pores - Drenched in Zink - Signs of Lines Marina’s Music - Modally Robust