fri 05.01.

21:00 Special Reserve feat. the Gruber-Ruesz Quartet



The Austrians' much-tested relationship to technology is a subject deserving mention and perhaps even a discussion. To name just a few examples, the world's most nonsensical machine was built over a span of 28 years by the Styrian craftsman, F.G. from E. His so-called "world machine" -- which stands 6 meters high, 3 meters wide and has countless components (motors, hammers, counters...) -- produces nothing but light, sound and movement, and since the death of its inventor in 1981, no one has even been able to switch it on. The world's most complicated instrument (which could be played), is the Panharmonica (Panharmonikum). Built in 1807 by the more prominent Austrian Josef Mälzl, this monstrosity comprises 150 flutes, 150 Flagoletts, 50 oboes, 18 trumpets, 3 large drums and 2 cymbals and sounds can be coaxed out of it by means of an intricate system of rollers and bellows. Archduke Karl purchased one of these contraptions for 80,000 silver marks, ostensibly to annoy the regulars at the imperial court. Moving on, M.T., from Carinthia, holds the European record for backwards driving, having racked up 254 km. in the space of 8 hours by circling the Österreich Ring 43 times in reverse gear. Tonight, Vienna's Gruber-Ruesz will be competing on guitar for the porgian record in forwards music; and he won't need any monster machines to do so ... some delicate virtuoso support on the mandolin will surely suffice. RD


24:00 Shlomit Songs In Hebrew


Herwig Gradischnig: saxophone
Roland Guggenbichler: piano, keyboards
Achim Tang: bass
Christian Salfellner: drums
Andi Steirer: percussion

An Arab in the box office, an Argentinian behind the bar, a Jew on stage, and a predominance of other foreigners in the audience: Already in the early 1920s, similar conditions served to overtax not only A.H. -- the art student from Linz -- but also politicians such as J.H. and his supporters, the misdirected patriots of former times. We all know, however, that a city can only really bloom in its full diversity. For this reason, we have brought in Shlomit to take you on a trip through an imaginary world spiced with Jewish tales, delicately served by their main singer/storyteller, with fine accompaniment by sidemen such as Gradischnig, Tang und Salfellner. MR

Admission: AS 150
PORGY & BESS, SPIEGELGASSE 2, 1010 WIEN, TEL: 512 84 38