The music of pianist Daniel Roser and drummer Gustan Asselbergs is shaped by flow and stillness. Their intuitive way of playing leaves room for the unexpected and opens up a space where the smallest gesture can be a turning point. The freedom that comes with playing in a duo is fragile by nature. Roser and Asselbergs embrace this fragile freedom as a driving force. It's the basis for their fluid, organic and open sound. In our technological age the experience of musical process in the here and now is more vital than ever. To connect with real stuff – wood, metal, strings and skins – means focussing on the human body as the source of artistic creation.
Formed in 2018 when the Swiss pianist Daniel Roser joined forces with the Dutch drummer Gustan Asselbergs, Roser/Asselbergs started a multifaceted musical conversation that brought them to various venues. In 2019 the duo recorded a live concert at the Philharmonie in Haarlem (The Netherlands), showing their unique way in adapting to the specific acoustics and atmospheric conditions of each concert stage. Daniel Roser led his group Erikunddu for eight years before starting this duo. Gustan Asselbergs is a versatile drummer who works with different musicians and projects.
As the music of Roser/Asselbergs gradually unfolds the listener enters an intimate world characterised by accessible harmonies and melodies. Rather than limiting the music by all-defining compositions the duo lets the music evolve from clear yet challenging points of departure which invite the listener to engage with the musical stream. They conciously choose subtile modes of interaction. Instead of having an obvious musical chit-chat the duo enjoys the beauty of contrasting elements by letting them be heared simultaneously. Many listeners are surprised by the functions the two players fulfill: often contrary to what generally is associated with their instruments.
