Impro Gang(s)
is a series of projects based on the practice of free improvisation, organised by Alyona Pynzenyk.
The binding idea behind these projects is to reflect musically, through shared improvisation practice and open discussion on important meanings of life in a safe space, discovered by the group here and now (be it near the sea, in the mountains or simply in a special artistic location).
The goal is:
-to find a common language through music; - to find common music through free improvisation; - to find common values and create a supportive environment; - to embrace and support each other in order to dive into the darkest; - bring out discovered beauty, shape it and share it through our common performance with the listener.
Mountain Gang
The Second Edition of the Impro Gang Series, Mountain Gang. It happened in the summer 2025, in a remote mountain hut near Weiz, Austria.
Participants are: Valentin Duit – drums AT, Philipp Kienberger – bass video AT, Petra Slottova – flute SK/AT, Yoram Rosilio – bass saxophone FR, Stefan Voglsinger – experimental electronics photos AT, Georg Wissa – singer AT,
and Alyona Pynzenyk – idea, organisation, violin, UA/AT.
What did we do: a lot.
„In short“: through improvisation and reflection within discussion, we formed a safe, open space in order to explore music-making, support each other in taking risks and trying to figure out what it takes to delve beyond the borders of complex artistic questions.
„In full“: you had to be there :)
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If you feel you have got the vibe and feel that valuing communication, exchange and support within artistic circles matters to you in a similar way.....
If you are curious about the future of the Impro Gang Project Series….
If you are interested to participate passively, actively or half-half (what it exactly means, is open to figuring out together).…
If you feel you have an opinion to share after watching the Mountain Gang teaser, whether it is positive, negative, or maybe a „sound“...
If you..maybe...one of…...us?
Let me know! Every reaction is appreciated!
From my side, I can already reassure you, that I am planning to organise the Impro Gang Edition No 3, soon and hopefully as inspiring. Because, I sense meaning and true value in making such things happen.
© Philipp KienbergerCroatian Gang
In 2019, after completing her bachelor's degree in classical violin, Alyona decided to bring together a group of professional musicians of different backgrounds who were studying with her at the time. She invited them to stay for eight days at the "Dalmatia" hostel, located near the Adriatic Sea in the village of Marusici, Croatia. Thanks to the hostel owners, the musicians were able to stay for free and share their art with the hostel community. At the end of their stay, the Croatian gang gave two concerts, which they had rehearsed in public before, in order to open up the process of making music to all the hostel's guests.
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Our group consisted of musicians from different backgrounds: Johanna Seitinger (voice), Tin Dzaferovich (bass), Simon Kintopp (composition/trombone), Saimi Kortelainen (violin), Teonas Boretto (computer music, drums), Urban Megusar (cello) and Marcio Steuernagel (composition, guitar, else).
© Saimi Kortelainen
Croatian Gang, First Night Jam, HR, 2019
Movement Impro on a rainy day
First performance for residents and guests
Minciospace Gang
community echoes
The aim of this particular edition of „Impro Gang“ projects was to create a collective of 4 musicians and friends (with different musical backgrounds of course), interested in forming a safe and welcoming research space through shared improvisational practice, hosted by Minciospace, Vienna, as a part of my artistic residency.
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As a group we were focusing not only on the musical outcome, but more importantly on the meaningful process of discovery through establishing a common improvisational language and having reflective discussions. This all led to our performance at the Minciospace Klangbrücken concert (6.11.2024). Such an experience has also opened up a number of new potential topics for discovery.
We: Alyona Pynzenyk (violin) Elena Arbonies (clarinet) Jan Lovsin (voice/trumpet) Philipp Kienberger (bass)
Video Philipp Kienberger © Natali Glišić
