A journey through ancient musical connections, Alpine traditions and new forms of expression brings together three projects united by their exploration of sound. With Musica Transalpina, the ensemble histoirefuture traces the musical exchanges between the north and south of the Alps around 1600, creating a dialogue between historical music and folk traditions. Simon Heggendorn and Gilbert Paeffgen interweave the violin and the Appenzell hackbrett, whilst Mario Batkovic takes the accordion into sonic territories that span minimalism and experimental, hypnotic ambient music.

Ensemble histoirefuture “Musica Transalpina”
Matthias Klenota violin, conductor
Antonia Ortner vocals, psaltery
Gabriele Toscani violin
Mauro Colantonio viola da gamba, bagpipes
Marian Polin harpsichord

With Musica Transalpina, the ensemble histoirefuture explores the musical connections that spanned the Alps around 1600, when musicians, repertoires and performance practices circulated between the north and south of the continent. Founded in 2020 by Matthias Klenota and comprising musicians from the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, the ensemble combines historical music, improvisation and elements of the folk repertoire in programmes that blend source research with innovative concert formats.

Simon Heggendorn & Gilbert Paeffgen
Simon Heggendorn violin
Gilbert Paeffgen Appenzell psaltery

Simon Heggendorn and Gilbert Paeffgen create a musical dialogue rooted in the Alpine tradition of Appenzell, whilst at the same time embracing improvisation and timbral exploration. Heggendorn’s violin, drawing on classical and jazz influences, meets Paeffgen’s Appenzell hackbrett, an ancient plucked string instrument that the musician reinvents through unexpected rhythms, timbres and modes of expression.