Des Brumes Au Zenith

Pascal Jugy was born in 1964 in Loches (France, Indre et Loire). He studied science, obtaining a post-graduate diploma in acoustics, whilst at the same time teaching himself the guitar and harmony. At the University of Strasbourg, he continued his musical education by studying composition, orchestration and the history of contemporary music with François-Bernard Mâche, Georges Block and Marta Grabocz. His interest in contemporary music and studio techniques led him to the Lyon Conservatory (CNSM), then IRCAM (Summer School 1996 & 1997) where he took lessons in analysis and composition with Ivan Fedele, Magnus Lindberg, Jonathan Harvey and Gérard Grisey. Despite this interest, Pascal Jugy's work remains mostly attached to the tonal system. Since 2006, he works closely with flutist Johannes Hustedt, guitarist Andreas Hiller, which interpret the works of Jugy’s new album „DES BRUMES AU ZENITH“ (Animato, 2019), compositions for flute and 10-string guitar. The interest of Jugy in 10-string guitar comes from meeting Andreas Hiller. „This is an interesting instrument not only does i textend the range in the lower register of the guitar, but these strings add sympathetic vibrations that enrich the spectrum and sound colors that result. Ten-string guitars offer new chord possibilities and a wide range of natural harmonics: for example, the piece „Géopoèmes et gouttes d’eau“ is not playable as such on the 6-string guitar.“ The flute-guitar duet is common in Jugy’s compositions. It offers a good natural balance between the two instruments from the point of view of the dynamics and the sound spectrum. In these duets, the two instruments have an equally important role in the musical discourse: „it is indeed not accompanied solos but duets“. Beside the particularity of the line-up, we feel a spiritual dimension in Jugy’s compositions, dyed in brightness and happiness. A dimension that lifts up and helps to grow and recall the metaphorical meaning of “Des brumes au zénith”. Performers: Johannes Hustedt (Flute) studied music pedagogy and flute in Bremen and Karlsruhe, where he passed the Concert Examination with honours. Deeply involved in musical-cultural exchange, he concertises worldwide as soloist and chamber-music partner, also participating in world premieres, radio and television productions. His playing is inspired by a lively interaction with music from all cultural groups, especially Asia, South America and Eastern Europe. Projects in historical performance practice with the baroque flute, interdisciplinary dance, music and theatrical projects as well as border-crossings between improvisation and com- position enrich his artistic expression. He is a frequent guest at renowned music festivals including the Ludwigsburg Castle Festival, Hohenlohe Cultural Summer, the Frankfurt/Oder Music Festival, the festival of the “Centro para la Difusión de la Música Contemporánea” in the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, “ProBaltica” Warsaw, the Thomas Mann Festival Nida in Lithuania, the GAIDA New Music Festival in Vilnius, as well as at the New Opera Toronto, California State University in Los Angeles and the New York City Series. His CDs issued by Koch International, RBM, Animato, Swiss- Pan, Guild Music and Sargasso have met with major international recognition. Johannes Hustedt teaches at the University of Music Karlsruhe and is a much sought-after guest lecturer. “For me, music is essentially openness towards audiences, fellow musicians and composers – but also openness towards untrodden paths, artistic development, and personal growth.” Johannes Hustedt plays a Muramatsu 14 Karat gold flute and an alto flute in G by Altus. Andreas Hiller (Guitar) studied musical education, guitar and early baroque lute in Trossingen and in Bern. After successfully achieving the Concert Diploma he finished his studies in summer 1995 with the Soloists Diploma. After graduating he expanded his repertoire by excursions into live electronic, jazz and Brazilian folk music (MPB). Today his interest is mainly in intercultural exchange as well as musical connections from Orient and Occident. The artistic examination with the music of Asia, the Balkan, Latin America and projects in historical performance practice with the lute complete his musical expression. From 1990 on he has played the 10-string guitar, with 4 strings added to the common classical 6-string guitar. Currently he is one of the few musicians, who seriously engages in the sound possibilities of the 10-string guitar. Compositions from the classical and romantic era and modern music with new playing techniques constantly present new challenges for the interpreter. Andreas Hiller is in contact with composers from all around the world to enlarge the repertoire for the 10-string guitar. Premiers, Radio recording sessions, CD productions as well as TV appearances followed. “Of all arts, music touches me most deeply, bestowing wings on me and carrying me into new dimensions”. Andreas Hiller plays a Dieter Müller 10-string guitar.