ZRI take you from the rip-roaring to the sublime, with their unique mix of gypsy, classical and tavern band covers, as the quintet celebrate the release of their new recording.
ZRI stands for Zum Roten Igel, or ‘To the Red Hedgehog’ - the tavern in 19th century Vienna where Schubert and Brahms each went to hear gypsy and folk music. ZRI celebrates the impact of such experiences on these composers' work, and aims to explore the boundaries of classical, folk and gypsy music with their unique five-piece lineup, integrating friendships that stretch back to early childhood.
Beginning in 2011 with their radical re-scoring of the Brahms Clarinet Quintet to include accordion and santouri (dulcimer), the group have developed several other captivating programs which re-imagine specific repertoires in their inimitable style, including Schubert, a live score to Charlie Chaplin’s early classic ‘The Adventurer’, and Janacek’s Kreutzer Sonata, which premiered on Swiss national radio in Summer 2021. They released their debut studio album 'Brahms and the Gypsy' in 2014 to critical acclaim, followed by 'Schubert at the Red Hedgehog Tavern' two years later.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the group experimented with recording live online, embracing the latency of the internet to explore what music could be improvised between five different locations - the results were captured in two tracks entitled 'Embracency'.
ZRI have appeared live on BBC Radio 3, and their touring schedule has taken them to UK festivals including Henley, York, Guildford International, Swaledale, as well as the Royal Albert Hall and Kings Place. Internationally, they have appeared at festivals in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and Norway.
In a return to their core repertoire, ZRI is now releasing their third studio album 'Cellar Sessions', a fiery selection of classical and gypsy favourites as might have been heard at the eponymous Red Hedgehog Tavern, and released on First Hand Records. It's a musical trip to the Viennese tavern where Gypsy musicians inspired classical composers, where folk and classical intertwined, and where ZRI take you from the rip-roaring to the sublime with their unique mix of Gypsy, Classical and even tavern band covers of Solange, Donna Summer, and Taylor Swift.
‘ZRI played with virtuosity, magic, and passion.’ - Royal Albert Hall’s ‘Ignite’ Series
TIMINGS
1930 Doors open
2000 Set 1
2100 Set 2
CD's of 'Cellar Sessions' and the group's other albums will be available at the show. Buy a CD and ticket for a combined price to receive a discount.