Vienna-based musical improv group Janoska Ensemble kicks off U.S. tour at Harding University

[caption id="attachment_2893" align="alignleft" width="619"] Janoska-Ensemble © Julia Wesely[/caption] March. 20, 2019 | Harding University will host Vienna-based Janoska Ensemble Wednesday, March 27 as part of the 2018-19 Arts and Life Performance Series. The event begins at 8:15 p.m. in the Administration Auditorium. The quartet is kicking off a 10-city U.S. tour to promote their latest album, “Revolution,” slated for release April 15. The group will be performing a program based on the new album, which showcases their improvisational prowess and ability to fluidly travel across musical landscapes, instantaneously traversing eras and classifications, from Bach to the Beatles. “In classical music, improvisation has been lost, but it was part of the performances during the Baroque period,” said Julius Darvas, the ensemble’s double bassist. “We’re bringing back that spontaneity and demonstrating that musicians can deviate from the written score and still remain true to the spirit of the composer.” The sixth generation of a highly musical family, the ensemble came together in 2013, founded by brothers Ondrej (violinist), František (pianist) and Roman (violinist) and their brother-in-law Darvas. Steeped in classical musical since childhood, the ensemble draws on instrumental traditions passed down in the family from father to son. Each is a virtuoso in his own right, having studied with Vienna’s preeminent teachers, and performed with such distinguished orchestras as the Vienna State Opera Orchestra/Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna Art Orchestra. Their comprehensive training and breadth of knowledge comes through in music that is surprising and infused with humor, possessing an in-the-moment creativity that lets their individual talents shine. “We channel the energy of our audiences into what we do on stage,” said Darvas. “You can see and feel the energy and it pushes us to a higher emotional level and gives us the impetus to move in new directions, which is why every performance is so completely different. What audiences appreciate is that we are playing something unique that comes from our hearts.” Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For tickets, group rates and more information, visit harding.edu/artsandlife or call 501-279-4343. For other Harding events and free and low cost services available to the public, visit harding.edu/community.