The Wonky Varispeed Adventure takes us on a joyride through the analog days of speed manipulation. Both flutes and the two channels of the playback each exist in their own time zones, being constantly sped up or slowed down in search of a common denominator. Will their desperate longing for a tiny haven of stability be fulfilled?
Performances
Les 6 toits Genève, Switzerland
performed by duet 2.26
kHaus Basel, Switzerland
performed by duet 2.26
Kunstraum Walcheturm Zürich, Switzerland
performed by duet 2.26
flute Maria Zwerschke
piano Petek Atalay
percussion Jonas Evenstad
percussion Enyalios Papadopoulos
violin Aline S. Müller
viola Sofia von Atzingen
cello Ema Grčman
double bass Javad Javadzade
The Pompous Pocket Orchestra is an orchestral piece without an orchestra: It slowly evolves from concert to concert by accumulating fragments of all previous performances in the playback, thereby establishing a dialog with its own past. It is completely open in instrumentation and includes space for each musician to leave their own fingerprint. It decides against an expansive orchestral score and favors a less-is-more approach.
Recordings
Each performance of The Pompous Pocket Orchestra is recorded. Specified sections of all previous recordings become part of the playback, making the orchestra grow over time. The process can be retraced by listening to different performances of the piece.
[1]
catinblack ensemble: Sofia von Atzingen (viola), Ema Grčman" (cello), Javad Javadzade (double bass)
Szene 10 in Essen, Germany, 05.12.2025
[3]
M. Zwerschke (flute), A. S. Müller (violin), P. Atalay (piano), J. Evenstad (vibraphone & marimba), E. Papadopoulos (percussion)
University of Music and Dance Cologne, Germany, 07.01.2026
Scores
There are different scores available for different instrumentations. The default score for any ensemble with three or more members is the trio score. Any part of the trio score can be played by any number of musicians. Specialized scores for some instruments are available, which can be played in combination with any of the other scores or as solo versions. I am happy to add new score versions for your instrument or ensemble. If you want to join the orchestra, don’t hesitate to reach out!
The Pompous Pocket Orchestra [3]
University of Music and Dance Cologne, Germany
performed by P. Atalay, J. Evenstad, A. S. Müller, E. Papadopoulos, M. Zwerschke
The Pompous Pocket Orchestra [2]
Kulturni centar Vojvodine „Miloš Crnjanski”, Novi Sad, Serbia Antifestival 2K+
performed by catinblack ensemble
The Pompous Pocket Orchestra [1]
Szene 10, Essen, Germany
performed by catinblack ensemble
Library Music No. 2: Shanty Chunks for Choppy Seas dives into sonic worlds of the Northern German coast and the harbour of Hamburg – or at least into what these are supposed to sound like according to some correspondingly themed library music records.
The Library Music series comprises reimaginations of pieces from old library music records. These consist of music for use in movies or on the radio. The habitat of such music has long shifted to the Internet, leaving the old vinyl records in an unclear intermediate state: Not really dead, as they still physically exist and some vinyl collectors are interested in them, but not really alive either, as they are no longer used for their actual purpose. The series is an attempt to upcycle different kinds of old library music, with the aim of turning it into something new – not limited to the past, but in touch with it.
Performances
HfMT Köln, Germany master's recital
performed by P. Hayduk, C. Lopes, L. Marti, A. S. Müller, E. Papadopoulos, C. Ramos, A. Thoma, M. Zwerschke
