MAURICE HORSTHUIS’ ELASTIC JARGON
HARD TIMES FOR FROGS
Vera van der Bie, Jasper le Clercq, Jeffrey Bruinsma violin, Roderick Krauss, Maurice Horsthuis viola, Nina Hitz, Annie Tangberg cello, Brice Soniano bass, Wiek Hijmans guitar
Elastic Jargon, led by violin player Maurice Horsthuis, is a remarkably flexible string orchestra with a unique musical language, developed over monthly sessions in the Amsterdam venue De Badcuyp. The ensemble of eight string players and one guitarist moves effortlessly between composition and improvisation, playing with the rules of several genres, including classical music, tango, jazz and blues. ‘Behind all the playfulness lies Horsthuis’ subtle intelligence and genuine affection for strong melody, rich orchestration, and lively performance. Horsthuis and Jargon never resort to outright parody or ironic distancing from its sources; they embrace them and sing in their chains like the sea’ (Point of Departure).