Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

December 16, 1943 in Innsbruck, Austria

 

Radu Malfatti is a renowned Austrian trombonist and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Born on December 16, 1943, in Innsbruck, Austria, Malfatti grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a conductor, and his mother was a pianist. Malfatti started playing the piano at a young age, but he later switched to the trombone, which became his primary instrument. Malfatti's musical career began in the 1960s when he joined the Vienna Art Orchestra, a jazz ensemble that was known for its experimental approach to music. During this time, Malfatti also started exploring contemporary classical music and began collaborating with other avant-garde musicians. In 1968, he co-founded the improvisational group, the Reform Art Unit, which included musicians such as Peter Kowald, Paul Lovens, and Evan Parker. Throughout the 1970s, Malfatti continued to experiment with different musical styles and techniques. He became interested in the concept of "reductionism," which involves stripping music down to its most basic elements. This approach led him to develop a unique style of playing the trombone, which involved using long, sustained notes and minimalistic phrasing. In 1977, Malfatti released his first solo album, "For Franz Kline," which was inspired by the abstract expressionist painter. The album featured Malfatti's signature style of playing, which was characterized by slow, deliberate notes and a focus on the trombone's natural resonance. The album received critical acclaim and established Malfatti as a leading figure in the world of contemporary classical music. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Malfatti continued to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music. He collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including John Butcher, Keith Rowe, and Taku Sugimoto. He also founded the group "Quartet Avance," which included musicians such as Thomas Lehn, Marcus Schmickler, and Keith Rowe. In 2000, Malfatti was awarded the prestigious "Ernst von Siemens Music Prize" for his contributions to contemporary classical music. The award recognized his innovative approach to music and his ability to push the boundaries of traditional musical forms. Malfatti's most recent work has focused on the concept of "silence" in music. He has explored the idea of using silence as a musical element and has developed a unique approach to playing the trombone that involves long periods of silence interspersed with short bursts of sound. Malfatti's contributions to contemporary classical music have been significant, and his influence can be seen in the work of many other avant-garde musicians. His unique approach to playing the trombone and his focus on minimalism and reductionism have helped to redefine the boundaries of what is possible in contemporary classical music.

More....