Martin Kohlstedt - Nacht (2014)

Martin Kohlstedt’s second album “Nacht“ (2014) directly refers to its predecessor, yet it reverses his perspectives, grabbing and pointing them inward. Preceded by playfully asked questions in “Tag“ (2012), nine monologues are now to follow with utter consistency. These reduced piano pieces speak with a kind of suppressed restlessness while keeping enough distance from recklessness. Within them, one can find Kohlstedt rigorously working on himself; repetition and rhythmic transformations develop an inward-pointing momentum. “Nacht“ is able to pull itself out of this emerging undertow time and time again, even during its most awkward moments. Subconsciously one would like to believe in this, latch oneself onto the emerging structure – even as the piece is being constructed, stroke for stroke. But to arrive at one’s personal destination, that is just a utopia in the eyes of Martin Kohlstedt. “Nacht“, translated ‘Night’, tells a tale of a search for this suitable location. That’s why it might be hard to grasp what it’s getting after – but Kohlstedt unconditionally confides in his listeners. It just doesn’t get more personal than that with modern compositions.