Scurdia

It is difficult to picture what the fantasy name “Scurdia” stands for. That it has to do with music is all that can be said for sure. Though exactly which style of music, not even the fathers of this music project, Markus Schirmer and the Kurdish lutist Risgar Koshnaw, are able to define. Scurdia isn’t Soul, Funk or Ethno and does not even appear to be oriental-folkloristic-jazzy or even classical. In some sense, however, it is all of these at the same time.

There is only one more thing that can be said for sure: nothing is planned in Scurdia. The minute Markus Schirmer grips the keyboard and Risgar Koshnaw starts plucking the strings of his oud in ecstasy they are both locked in a choreography of confrontation. Each of them is determined to demonstrate that his music carries more weight than the other’s. Even if each of them has tried ever so hard to outdo the other this “contest” has always resulted in a draw. Scurdia is not only a musical confrontation between Schirmer and Koshnaw, though, but also between Orient and Occident, so to speak. There are other fantastic artists from now over 10 countries who also contribute their traditions and expertise.

Markus Schirmer, Österreich - piano
Risgar Koshnaw, Kurdistan-Irak – oud & vocals
Andreas Fürstner, Österreich - guitar
Ieva Pranskute, Litauen - violin
Jon Sass, USA - tuba
Christian Bakanic, Österreich - accordion, harmonika & vocals
Sophie Abraham, Niederlande - violoncello
Franz Kreimer, Österreich - hammond B3
Toti Denaro, Italien - mediterranean percussion
Edmundo Carneiro, Brasilien - latin percussion
Kirill Kuzmanov, Mazedonien – sax & flute

Special guest:
Fred Owusu, Österreich - vocals