Breath and Hammer Unplugged

David Krakauer, clarinet
Kathleen Tagg, piano

Grammy-nominated star David Krakauer and acclaimed composer/performer Kathleen Tagg present a passionate, eclectic and highly personal musical journey called “Breath & Hammer”. Their program offerings range from completely acoustic programs, to programs with loops and samples to large-scale projects with live visual projections, visual design and surround-sound. 

Widely considered one of the greatest clarinetists on the planet, David Krakauer has been praised internationally as a key innovator in modern klezmer as well as a major voice in classical music. South African-born pianist, composer and producer Kathleen Tagg has performed on four continents in leading venues such as Carnegie Hall, had her original music performed in venues such as New York’s Lincoln Center, appeared on a host of classical, world music and multi-genre recordings and produced numerous CDs and inter-disciplinary programs from South Africa to Los Angeles.

Individually they have an impressive track record of creating innovative programs that stretch the boundaries of traditional concert presentations. In “Breath & Hammer”, they bring together their disparate backgrounds to make something new and uniquely their own.

“The Tagg-Krakauer duo took the Beethoven Room by storm as they presented one of the most remarkable concerts I have ever attended anywhere in the world. Each work on the programme was arranged or composed by either Tagg or Krakauer and this added a personal dimension to their performance, as creation and recreation elided in an astonishing display of indescribably stunning, mesmerising musicianship… Opening with Syrian clarinettist and composer Kinan Azmeh’s November 22nd – a work epitomising the essence of Middle Eastern aesthetics – Tagg and Krakauer embarked on what Krakauer termed “a multicultural journey”. It was far more than that; it entered into the heart of humankind exploring connective artistic tissues while teasing out and celebrating the differences... this was a phenomenal performance that stood at the heart of multicultural musicianship… This was music-making at its best: joyful abandonment without a trace of inhibition.”

CUE Magazine

Biographies:

• David Krakauer

• Kathleen Tagg

“...Krakauer joined with the adventurous South African pianist Kathleen Tagg in an exciting new duo project known as Breath and Hammer. At the peak of their conversation, Krakauer sailed through virtuosic passages before taking off on a passionate, soul-stirring improvisation… Throughout their compelling duo set, Tagg joined prepared piano to electronics in increasingly brilliant applications.”

Downbeat Magazine

November 22 by Kinan Azmeh (arr. Tagg):

Love Song for Lemberg/Lvov live at Joe’s Pub, January 13th, 2023:

Berimbau live at Joe’s Pub, January 13th, 2023:

Offering Nigun - Kathleen Tagg & David Krakauer

Body and Soul - Kathleen Tagg & David Krakauer

Press:

• Edhat Santa Barbara

• Montecito Journal

Tech Rider

• Tech Rider - PDF