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Multi platinum selling, grammy nominated country duo Thompson Square's first podcast episode. In this episode Keifer and Shawna give a little back story to how they got started and introduce themselves to those who might not know who they are.

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History:

The band String Theory was founded by singer, songwriter and guitarist Christian Dumhard in August of 2007 in Berlin together with his old buddies Ashkan Motahar (guitar) and Malte Milbrand (guitar). They started out composing purely instrumental pieces until joined by singer and pianist, Anna Vierling, half a year later, who knew Christian through their joint studies in psychology, at which point they began composing more and more duets, whose polyphonic arrangements are an essential ingredient to the typical “String Theory Sound”. The band had their first public appearance in June 2008. After these four band mates played in this constellation for the first three years, they started searching for a fuller sound. They wanted instrumental support, to add more depth and variety to their music. The violinist and cellist, Stefan Frischbutter and Jeremias Schulthess, were old musical colleagues of Christian. They gave the ensemble the richness of sound it had wished for. At the piano, Stefan Fehling helped out for a while on the album recordings and on several live performances. Their debut album entitled “String Theory” was released in September 2010 and consisted of a varied assortment of the songs they had arranged in the previous years.

In the beginning of 2011 Jeremias Schulthess and Malte Milbrand left the band. To play the cello Jörg Rauter, joined the band. After guitarist and band founder Malte Milbrand had left the band, String Theory decided to continue with only two guitars.

Meanwhile the band has compiled an abundance of new material, which comprises around 30 songs and instrumentals.

 
Music:

String Theory is an ensemble not easily pinned down to a specific genre. Their musical compositions are a melting pot of Folk, Chanson, Pop and Soul. The playful instrumental arrangements fabricate a carpet of sound, which has an atmospheric density, which invites one to dream. Not only on the current album but also live this ensemble draws in the listeners by their compositional and technical talent and their artful expression, while the vocal duo transports the lyrics with authenticity, creating a rare intimacy with the audience.

 
Review:

“String Theory offered perfectly arranged pieces with virtuous guitar solos and wonderful, polyphonic singing.” (Association for music in Germany)

 
String Theory are:

Christian Dumhard: vocals, guitar

Ashkan Motahar: guitar

Anna Vierling: vocals

Stefan Frischbutter: violin

Jörg Rauter: cello

Stefan Fehling: piano

No one could have imagined at that time what to expect - like Xavier de Maistre himself, when he decided to change the face of the harp 16 years ago. Today he plays pieces like "Moldau" by Smetana in breathtaking precision and presents masterful pieces of music that are usually played by an entire orchestra.

Meanwhile, a worldwide audience listens to his virtuosity and enjoys the unprecedented sounds. Pieces, that no harpist played before, or even thought about - like the Haydn piano concertos. Not only that makes him one of the most extraordinary musicians, even masters of this time.

Xavier de Maistre began to study harp with 9 years. Like many other famous musicians, all started with love - but in this case not as expected the love to his harp. It was rather the love for his former teacher, who offered extra harp lessons. Early, it turned out that Xavier has a great talent and no wonder he started with 25 years to play for the Vienna Philharmonic. Before that he played 3 years for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and in 1998 Xavier won the first prize of the "USA International Harp Competition“, the major harp competitions in the world. But since Xavier´s family is not from a traditional harp-playing dynasty they put great importance to a solid education. So Xavier started his study of politics at the „Institut des Sciences Politiques“ in Paris and spent 1 year in London at the „London School of Economics ", when he finally decided to prefer music to the political studies. For a musician, he achieved very early what all harpists dream of – a position in one of the best orchestras in the world, the Vienna Philharmonic.

However Xavier de Maistre was about to go on. To see this point as the highlight of the career, which would definitely be a great honor for most of the harpists, and aslo for Xavier, but it was also a kind of sad moment. He achieved the ultimate goal of a harpist at age 25. Through his countless appearances and his keen ambition he has always wants to refute the long-existing bias of the harp - played in the background by angel-like women. Thanks to his his quick anticipation, intelligence and tremendous skill, he has played many pieces as a soloist with the harp and delighted thousands of listeners. Finally, he succeeds to establish the harp as an independent instrument. During his career, many great conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Andre Previn, and Daniele Gatti became curious on him and his passion and asked him to play with them. A long series of concerts follows, convincing the audience that Xavier de Maistre is undoubtedly the master of his instrument. Not for nothing, beside famous conductors, also the most successful singers like Barbara Bonney, Kathleen Battle and Diana Damrau played with him. Likewise, of course, the long list of world-renowned opera houses which he had already visited: Theatre des Champs Elysees Paris, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Musikverein Vienna, Tokyo Opera City, Lincoln Center New York, Salzburg Festival, La Scala Milan and many others.

No wonder, Xavier´s enthusiasm and his gift to play will not put an end to this success story. Awarded with the Echo Klassik Award 2009 for his album "Nuit d'Etoiles" as "Instrumentalist of the Year" (Sony Music) he reaps the fruits of his labor.

For more than 9 years Xavier de Maistre is working as a professor at the Musikhochschule Hamburg and now also teaches at the Julliard School in New York, at the Toho University in Tokyo and in London at Trinity College. After 11 years with the Vienna Philharmonic Xavier leaves his position in order to devote himself to his international solo career - a step that no harpist has done before.

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