The O-Sound (O-Töne)

TON *German - n. sound, tone, pip, note; intonation, rise and fall of the voice in speech; clay, type of soil used to make pottery and bricks, soil which contains high percentage of silicates of aluminum. 

O-Töne (sound bites, "original sounds") - annual contemporary Literature Festival held in the Museum Quarter in Vienna during July and August. This year the Festival had a head start with a preview concert on June 20 (Summer Solstice). After a reading by Hungarian author Péter Esterházy, Estonian singer Siiri Sisask performed a series of songs from her latest CD, "Linga Mea" to coincide with 20 years of Estonian re-independence (celebrated on August 20th.) See the article in Eesti Päevaleht here and read the German here.

Siiri was accompanied by Kristjan Randalu (piano) and his jazz quartet: Carsten Netz (clarinet, saxophone,, synthesizers) Oliver Potratz (bass) ja Paul Wiltgen (percussion), and the string quartet Helenos from Germany. Listen to clips from "Lingua Mea" here.  Can you here the influence of Korean and Mongolian music intertwined with Estonian Setu?

MQ Photo from Claudia Nicoleta's collection

Museum Quarter in Vienna - celebrates 10!

You could call this "Mother of all Museums" the European remedy to giant North American shopping malls, such as the  Vaughan Mills Mall (north of Toronto). But without the Bass Pro bait shop:-) Imagine 20 museums and cultural organizations presenting programs in performing arts, architecture, music, fashion, theater, dance, literature, children's and digital culture all in one area in roof, so to speak. Along with 40 living spaces and terrace cafés, bars, shops and a wonderful courtyard. This summer:

Leopold Museum - Egon Schiele lovers paradise.

MUMOK - exhibits moved outside, re-opening September 8  Kunsthalle- Salvador Dali exhibit. More exhibit info here.

The O-Töne Festival was started by Gabriela Hegedus and Christoph Möderndorfer in 2005 and featured contemporary Austrian authors presenting original works (unpublished) every Thursday evening in July and August.  This summer, from July 7 to August 25, an Austrian and European author will present as a duo - here's the lineup - what an amazing place to visit!

Opening concert: Meaghan Burke
Opening lecture: Sabine Gruber (AT): "Still Bach or The Longing"

• Melinda Nadj Abonji (CH): "doves fly"
  Linda pin (AT): "Not a single day"
• Giorgio Vasta (I): "The glass-eaters"
  Maja Haderlap (AT): "Angel of Forgetfulness"
• Roel Verschueren (B): "Shut up, if you speak"
  Clemens J. Setz (AT): "The love child at the time of Mahlstädter"
• Cărtărescu Mircea (RO): "The Body"
  Franz Schuh (Austria): "The crutch Cactus"
• Michal Hvorecký (SK): "Eskorta"
  Josef Haslinger (Austria): "Jachymov"
• Rudiš Jaroslav (CZ): "Konec v Punku Helsinkách"
  Evelyn shock (AT): "The freedom of the great Ferenc Puskas"
• Raittila Hannu (FIN): "Clarification"
  Peter Henisch (AT): "Grand Finale for Novak"