when tania giannouli and nik bärtsch meet at two grand pianos, two distinctive musical personalities bring very different approaches to jazz. greek pianist and composer tania giannouli creates complex, lyrical music, while swiss pianist and composer nik bärtsch works with precise rhythmic structures. both share a classical training and a curiosity about creating music in the moment. this special encounter opens jazzambach 2027’s second evening of two concerts on one ticket.

tania giannouli’s music brings together a wide range of genres, musical traditions and influences. as a pianist, composer, improviser and bandleader, she shapes these into a distinctive musical voice. her work ranges from solo piano and international ensembles to interdisciplinary projects. she was nominated for the german jazz prize in 2021, and in 2023 the greek international women awards recognised her as a visionary for her outstanding contribution to arts and culture. in the same year, the renowned italian magazine musica jazz named her “new international talent”. her concert tours have taken her to venues and festivals including the pierre boulez saal, rudolfinum prague, jazzfest berlin and the london jazz festival.

nik bärtsch is one of switzerland’s best-known jazz pianists internationally and has released numerous albums on the renowned ECM label. for many years, the zurich-based pianist and composer has pursued his own musical vision of “ritual groove music”. complex rhythmic structures, repetition and minimal shifts combine in music that constantly changes and develops an unmistakable pull. with his groups ronin and mobile, he has established this distinctive approach internationally. he also explores the interplay between rhythm, movement and bodily awareness in depth.

playing together, tania giannouli and nik bärtsch unfold a subtle, layered musical dialogue. over giannouli’s captivating, rippling melodies, bärtsch gradually lays a web of dark rhythms and tones. both take up musical ideas, transform them and develop them together with such empathy and care that listening itself almost seems to become a third hand in their interplay.

lyrical subtlety meets rhythmic architecture, complex structures meet spontaneous musical movement. virtuosity serves a musical idea that takes new shape from moment to moment and becomes almost physically tangible.

join us in looking forward to this special encounter at two grand pianos, before the diknu schneeberger trio continues the evening with the second set.

www.taniagiannouli.eu/

www.nikbaertsch.com/