On the art of the background
Serious music, light music
"The German-speaking world traditionally distinguishes between serious music (E-Musik) and light music (U-Musik). What do I do? I play Ü-music."
E-Musik & U-Musik
The distinction between serious and entertaining music was introduced in the German-speaking world at the beginning of the 19th century as a systematic classification. It distinguishes artistically valuable, sophisticated compositions from popular light music. The critical discourse surrounding this judgmental, quite vague terminology remains alive today. It is, in particular, a German phenomenon. In the USA, for example, serious and popular music have always been mutually influential.
New Diversity
"When you have a good conversation, is it entertaining, profound or perhaps not at best both?"
New Simplicity, New Diversity
Wandering between worlds of sound: As a pianist, composer and arranger, Marcus Sukiennik's work transcends the boundaries of stylistic genres - towards a new diversity. Influenced by an in-depth study of music history and changing listening habits, he works with components of classical music and jazz as well as traditional folk songs and pop music alike. Sukiennik writes arrangements of classical melodies, composes mainly for piano solo and occasionally for jazz bands.
Song form, variations and improvisation
"To me, making music is about sharing."
Differences in style or expression aside: tracking down the unifying element, an essential core of music-making - that is what occupies Marcus Sukiennik. Songs and variations are among the oldest forms of music. And they connect all times: From Bach to pop music. Music lives from exchange, from the change of existing motifs, from the interrelation between form and opening. Thus, variation and improvisation characterize the blues as well as the performance practice of early classical masters.
Original: Minuet in G major
Editing: MENUET IN G major
Blues improvisation
Music as an aesthetic experience
"We experience music in three dimensions: physically (movement, rhythm), intellectual (form, harmony) and spiritual (expression, dynamics, phrasing). One can conceptually separate one from the other - but an aesthetic experience only arises when these components combine to form a whole."
Wandering between worlds of sound: As a pianist, composer and arranger, Marcus Sukiennik's work transcends the boundaries of stylistic genres - towards a new diversity. Influenced by an in-depth study of music history and changing listening habits, he works with components of classical music and jazz as well as traditional folk songs and pop music alike. Sukiennik writes arrangements of classical melodies, composes mainly for piano solo and occasionally for jazz bands.
Background music
"Background music is like a flower arrangement. Both unfold a sensual effect - even without demanding noticeable attention. To the perceiver, they open up a multi-layered and associative world of their own."
Background music. Ambient music. Musique d'ameublement. Music that creates atmosphere without being obtrusive. In contrast to concert music, background music does not focus on the performance of the artists. It acts as a creative means of environments and situations. When Marcus Sukiennik composes and plays background music, he is also concerned with giving people space. To enter into the musical conversation with one's senses, or also: to simply listen away.
Music and society
The creation and reception of music is always interrelated with social circumstances. Its evaluation changes - in the flow of time, in cultural contexts. Thus, in addition to traditional forms, a contemporary style such as repetitive, rhythmic elements also finds its way into Sukiennik's compositions.
STAY Tuned!
As part of an exhibition of my work, I will be publishing more content on this site over the next few months.
Music and society
"Music and society have a backlash. I'm convinced that you can only make a specific music (form) blossom in a specific time. After that, it's just an echo, which is okay, by the way."
The creation and reception of music is always interrelated with social circumstances. Its evaluation changes - in the flow of time, in cultural contexts. Thus, in addition to traditional forms, a contemporary style such as repetitive, rhythmic elements also finds its way into Sukiennik's compositions.
Listening habits and attention economy
"As a musician who plays both concertos and bar piano, I'm concerned with the listening habits and current mood of my listeners* - I call it attention economy."
Differences in style or expression aside: tracking down the unifying element, an essential core of music-making - that is what occupies Marcus Sukiennik. Songs and variations are among the oldest forms of music. And they connect all times: From Bach to pop music. Music lives from exchange, from the change of existing motifs, from the interrelation between form and opening. Thus, variation and improvisation characterize the blues as well as the performance practice of early classical masters.