Peter Ruzicka's album, Crossing the Border, is a captivating collection of chamber music and orchestral works that showcase the composer's mastery of expressive and structural terrain. Released on 6 January 2017 by NEOS Music, this album features four distinctive pieces, each representing a different creative period in Ruzicka's career.
The album begins with 'Je weiter ich komme, um so mehr finde ich mich unfähig, die Idee wiederzugeben', a poignant homage for chamber ensemble, composed in 2012. This is followed by 'Der die Gesänge zerschlug', a cantata written in 1985, which was a pivotal work in Ruzicka's journey towards his first opera, CELAN. The album also includes 'Über die Grenze', a concerto for violoncello and chamber orchestra, composed in 2010, and 'String Quartet No. 5 "Sturz"', a work that explores the intricacies of string instrumentation.
With a total duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes, Crossing the Border is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged album that demonstrates Ruzicka's ability to craft complex, yet accessible, musical landscapes. The album is performed by the Österreichisches Ensemble für Neue Musik, under the direction of Johannes Kalitzke, and is available on various platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify. Whether you're a fan of chamber music or orchestral works, Peter Ruzicka's Crossing the Border is an album that is sure to leave a lasting impression.