Michael Thieke / Biliana Voutchkova

The music of the Voutchkova/Thieke duo focuses on micro tonality, imagery and intensely dynamic, often slowly developing and moving soundscapes. Violinist Biliana Voutchkova and clarinetist Michael Thieke have worked together within (and in between) both compositional and improvisational methods since 2011. They played concerts in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Serbia, Bulgaria, the USA and released the CD "Already there" on the Swiss label Flexion Records. Currently their new project "Blurred music" is being developed. The first presentation of it took place in December 2016 during their concert tour in the USA, with following performances in Europe in 2017.

The granulation of sound into exquisite detail was once the field of the electronic music composer. But, a new type of instrumental virtuosity has been mastered by artists such as Voutchkova and Thieke. Emerging from experimental and improvisational practices, it’s a virtuosity that puts a lens on the particles of sound within sounds. And through deconstruction of (traditionally conceived) instrumental tone, these granulated particles of sound became the material of a whole new world of music being created on the same old instruments. As a result of their close collaboration, the duo has developed a strong interest in exploring further the details of this new world increasing the sensitivity of perception for themselves and their audiences. Voutchkova and Thieke deliver the findings of these explorations with intensity, chiseled beauty and expressive communication fully formed, their search being continuous and ever expanding.