Press

“It was then time for Kristijan Krajnčan to take over the space with his hybrid music. The Cellist/Drummer, alone on stage, goes from one instrument to the other, occasionally using loops to bring the two together. Virtuoso on the cello, and brilliant drummer, he managed to conquer the hall with his touching universe, into which he dives completely. The composition “The Leaving of Siddhartha” is a true masterpiece that provokes a flood of addictive emotions.”

“The most beguiling aspect of Krajnčan’s artistry was arguably his melodic sense on cello, where classical, European folk, jazz and African folk influences rubbed shoulders. A little of all these influences found their way into the tune “Snow of Ashes”—part of the score to a film soundtrack composed by Krajnčan. For the final number, Krajnčan turned to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s “Fratres.” Pre-recorded cello ensemble freed-up Krajnčan to play, with mallets, the variations. The serenity of Pärt’s choral-like meditation contrasted with a rumbling drum improvisation—now on sticks—like storm clouds above a church. For Krajnčan, musical genres hold no boundaries. The equal weight given to composition and improvisation made for music that was rooted and free-spirited.”

“With its exceptional nature, DrummingCellist exceeds the roles, which are attributed to individual instruments, and despite of its innovation doesn’t loose the listener because everything sounds logical and very deep. Most importantly: DrummingCellist is not a result of a desire to be experimental and different. It is a place that Kristijan Krajnčan found while walking his natural path. It is a gift… of a Music itself, which pulsates somewhere deep inside of him.” 

“The range of emotions, embedded in the music was very wide; one could feel a personal relationship in every note, regardless if it was an arrangement of J.S. Bach, Arvo Part, or his original music. All of the boundaries have been blurred, because music passed from composition to composition and Kristijan has always successfully passed from one instrument to another before the last tones faded away.”