In May 2023, the Composers’ Orchestra Berlin were on their “Exoplanet” CD Release Tour. The CD is now available from JazzHausMusik, in record stores and on the streaming platforms. Also, subscribe to the YouTube channel for the latest video updates and tour impressions!
An exoplanet is a planet orbiting an alien sun. On this album, composer and saxophonist Christian Korthals combines influences from science fiction and film music with modern jazz, big band sounds and romantic orchestra colors. With its four strings, six horns and the jazz rhythm section, the untypical lineup of the C.O.B, conducted by Hazel Leach, effortlessly bridges these gaps.
Photos: David Beecroft
"Great orchestral sound", "energetic", "brilliant soloists"."An essential part of the Berlin jazz scene", "an exciting project!"
Jazzthetik about the new CD
They take off with 'Ballade', carried away with a longing feeling like dandelion seeds.
“Bad Alchemy” about the new CD
The album is a successful attempt to build an aesthetic bridge between respectable jazz classics and modernity. ... A great album, we are thrilled!
jazz-fun.de about the new CD
Radio Airplay Dates
Radio Airplay Dates
- May 4th, 2023, 20 Uhr, Radio ARA, Luxemburg
- May 8th, 2023, 14 Uhr, Freies Radio Stuttgart
- May 9th, 2023, 8:27 Uhr, Deutschlandradio Kultur
- November 5, 2023, 4pm GMT, Cambridge 105, England
[LISTEN at 33:00] The Composers’ Orchestra Berlin, conducted by Hazel Leach, a musician born in Northumberland, who moved to mainland Europe in the late 70s, and founded the orchestra in 2010. And as the orchestra’s name suggests, it’s populated by musicians who are also composers. On their new album “Exoplanet”, their fifth, I believe, composing duties are performed by Christian Korthals, also known as Tian, who was heared there on soprano saxophone. His nine pieces are inspired by the cosmos – and we heared a number titled “Neutronenstern”, neutron star. Also soloing there was guitarist Daniel Meyer. The presence of a string section adds a cinematic feel to some of the pieces. And one track even has a narration by Christian Toberentz, an actor who did voice overs for some of the Star Trek series. You can find Exoplanet on JazzHausMusic records. And the cover photo shows a metro train passing through the Eagle nebula. Ha! Like it! That’s on the Bakerloo line, if I’m, not mistaken. [Pete Butchers]
CONCERT DATES
Composers’ Orchestra Berlin
| Date | City | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 1. Apr 2023 | Berlin, Berlin | Kunstfabrik Schlot | DE |
| Time: 21:00. Admission: 15€/10€. Address: Invalidenstrasse 117. Venue phone: 030-448 21 60. | |||
| Tue 9. May 2023 | München | Unterfahrt | DE |
| Time: 20:00. Admission: 24€/12€. Address: Einsteinstr. 44. Venue phone: 089 4482794. | |||
| Wed 10. May 2023 | Stuttgart | Bix | DE |
| Time: 20:30. Admission: 20€ bis 10€. Address: Leonhardtplatz 28. Venue phone: 0711 23840997. | |||
| Sat 20. May 2023 | Darmstadt | Bessunger Knabenschule | DE |
| Time: 20:00. Admission: 18€/15€. Address: Ludwigshöhstraße 42. Venue phone: 06151 61650. | |||
Supported by Initiative Musik gGmbH with project funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media. Futher support by GEMA (concept) and the Senate of Berlin (basic funding and studio subsidy).
