Eclectic Programs for Classical and Jazz Presenters & Festivals
These eclectic and unique concert programs voyage between classical repertoire, Krakauer & Tagg's original compositions, new and innovative arrangements of music from across the globe and klezmer music, loops, samples and a desire to connect -Acoustic, Electric or Multimedia Immersive Installation Concert.
We are always open to adapting our program offerings to the needs of the presenter.
"... had us in awe from the very first second..." – What’s on in Cape Town
BREATH & HAMMER ELECTRIC
In this passionate, eclectic and highly personal musical journey, BREATH & HAMMER’s extended techniques, loops and samples are enhanced by a multi-camera, immersive video feed designed by Los Angeles-based video artist JESSE GILBERT, allowing the audience to see the pair’s unorthodox playing styles at close quarters and in real time.
This program ranges from Krakauer & Tagg’s arrangements of works by New York-based visionary John Zorn, Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, Cuban percussionist Roberto Rodriguez, to original compositions by Krakauer and Tagg, with influences ranging from interlocking African drumming patterns to Romantic symphonic music to minimalism and klezmer. These diverse and seemingly disparate musical influences intermingle and transform into an entirely new hybrid art form that bridges the cultures of the past with new works that look towards the future.
Note: This project requires a house sound system, 2 stage monitors, microphones, a technical assistant, a sound engineer, and a projector and screen. The artists will provide all necessary cameras and video setup.
See Breath & Hammer Electric in performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FRYkNrviu4
Recent performances include New York's National Sawdust & Symphony Space, Paris' Festival Sons D'Hiver, Munich's Jazzclub Unterfahrt, Bern's Bee-Flat Bern, South Africa's National Arts Festival, Florida's Society of the 4 Arts, Vancouver's Music in the Mornings, Vermont Jazz Center, and Warsaw's POLIN Museum.
BREATH & HAMMER ACOUSTIC
This acoustic program lives at the intersection of world music and improvisation. BREATH & HAMMER ACOUSTIC is a unique opportunity to see the pair’s unorthodox playing styles unplugged at close quarters.
Krakauer & Tagg share a constant quest to redefine the sounds and roles of their instruments, bringing together all aspects of their music making– influences range from interlocking African drumming patterns to jazz to Romantic symphonic music to minimalism to klezmer. Their acrobatic and highly virtuosic arrangements of tunes by a host of performer-composers from around the globe are placed alongside original compositions and complete reimaginings of traditional tunes and standards close to their hearts.
Recent Performances include Switzerland's Cully Jazz Festival, the National Gallery in D.C., Italy’s Accademia Chigiana and Pietrasanta in Concerto and the JAAMM Festival in Denver.
This acoustic program lives at the intersection of world music and improvisation. BREATH & HAMMER ACOUSTIC is a unique opportunity to see the pair’s unorthodox playing styles unplugged at close quarters.
Krakauer & Tagg share a constant quest to redefine the sounds and roles of their instruments, bringing together all aspects of their music making– influences range from interlocking African drumming patterns to jazz to Romantic symphonic music to minimalism to klezmer. Their acrobatic and highly virtuosic arrangements of tunes by a host of performer-composers from around the globe are placed alongside original compositions and complete reimaginings of traditional tunes and standards close to their hearts.
Recent Performances include Switzerland's Cully Jazz Festival, the National Gallery in D.C., Italy’s Accademia Chigiana and Pietrasanta in Concerto and the JAAMM Festival in Denver.
BREATH & HAMMER CLASSICAL PLUS
The BREATH & HAMMER CLASSICAL PLUS program journeys from classical music to improvisation-infused world music to klezmer.
This program pushes far outside the boundaries of the traditional clarinet and piano recital. Breath & Hammer Classical Plus begins with classical music (Brahms and Debussy) and then journeys to Krakauer & Tagg’s unusual and highly virtuosic arrangements of tunes by a host of performer-composers from around the globe. These are placed alongside original compositions by Krakauer & Tagg that incorporate influences ranging from interlocking African drumming patterns to romantic symphonic music to minimalism to klezmer.
Recent Performances include Chautauqua Institution, Shanghai Conservatory, New York's Rockefeller University Noontime Concerts, Beijing's Nationalities University, and the University of Buffalo's Slee Visiting Artist Series.
The BREATH & HAMMER CLASSICAL PLUS program journeys from classical music to improvisation-infused world music to klezmer.
This program pushes far outside the boundaries of the traditional clarinet and piano recital. Breath & Hammer Classical Plus begins with classical music (Brahms and Debussy) and then journeys to Krakauer & Tagg’s unusual and highly virtuosic arrangements of tunes by a host of performer-composers from around the globe. These are placed alongside original compositions by Krakauer & Tagg that incorporate influences ranging from interlocking African drumming patterns to romantic symphonic music to minimalism to klezmer.
Recent Performances include Chautauqua Institution, Shanghai Conservatory, New York's Rockefeller University Noontime Concerts, Beijing's Nationalities University, and the University of Buffalo's Slee Visiting Artist Series.
"I’ve been interested in juxtaposing the making of my own music with interpreting classical compositions. (In that sense I never felt the need to “cross”– I was already “over.”) It was always amazing to see how the two interacted with one another. Constantly working to create my own sounds (whether it be through improvising or composing) has helped me find my personal key to interpretation: first, always striving to be closer to the moment of creation (play the piece as if I had composed it or improvised it); second, seeking to tell a story; and third, creating a dialogue between my ideas and what I perceive as the composer’s ideas. "
– David Krakauer, on crossover, genre-bending, and collaboration
"Both Krakauer and Tagg elicited astonishing tones from their instruments...I am still in awe of the immense privilege it was to witness such a passionate and varied performance"