©Nina Scheidmantel

Souvenir Quartet  (english)

​

The SOUVENIR Quartet combines chamber jazz with the raw beauty of Eastern European folk music, creating an intense and richly coloured sound world. In its live quartet format, the ensemble features Nectaria Delgadillo on cello, Anton Mangold on harp (who also switches to flute and saxophone), Jonas Sorgenfrei on drums and percussion, and Felix Schneider-Restschikow on piano. This instrumentation opens up a wide range of textural possibilities: delicate unison passages, dense layers of lines, and powerful, unexpected changes of register shape the music.

​

The studio album Souvenir, released in 2021, already explored the melodies and rhythms of Armenian and Eastern European traditions, combining original compositions with deeply felt arrangements. It expanded the duo of piano and drums with guest contributions on harp, cello, and vocals. For the quartet’s concert programmes, new arrangements of Eastern European folk songs have now been added, alongside works from a composition commission for the German Human Rights Film Award 2024 — pieces that open up new thematic and musical fields of tension

​

The ensemble presents music that transforms memories of journeys and places into atmospheric moods: at times floating and lyrical, at others impulsive, improvisational, and full of sudden energy.

​

Souvenir Quartet //
Nectaria Delgadillo - Cello
Anton Mangold - Harp, Flute & Saxophone
Felix Schneider-Restschikow - Piano
Jonas Sorgenfrei - Drums & Percussion

“The interplay of moods and sounds leaves a lasting impression. An album between improvisation and melody that stays with you!”
- Michael Brinkschulte , Der Hörspiegel

“The music is full of rich and expansive sounds. There are also plenty of interesting and exciting improvisations. An exceptional project and a fascinating album!”
- jazz-fun.de