Woven Weapons

Woven Weapons (WW), inspired by ancient knitting patterns and epigenetics

One of my newest projects – Woven Weapons – premiered on the 7th of September, 2021 in on the Emajõgi River in Tartu, Estonia

A link to the radio broadcast from that day:
https://klassikaraadio.err.ee/1608322655/kontserdisaalis-maria-fausti-uudislooming-ule-emajoe

LINEUP:
Maria Faust – alto saxophone
Indrek Vau – trumpet
Andres Kontus – trombone
Liudas Mockunas – bass saxophone
Peter Bruun – percussion

A bit more about Woven Weapons:

As a composer, Maria Faust loves to tell stories that use contrasts and paradoxes from her own life, employing these as tools for creating music. WW gets its tools from epigenetics as well as knitting patterns, both using repetitive patterns.

Traditional Estonian folk costumes were worn as everyday clothes until as recently as the last century. The patterns on the clothes functioned as a language – communicating and telling stories between generations – and contained variations of symbols of protection. The only part of the traditional clothes that didn’t change over the centuries were the knitting patterns used for gloves – like a powerful shield to protect one’s family members.

Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes to DNA that do not involve alterations in DNA sequences. Simply said, heritable traumas are passed on from parent to child – for example, slavery, starvation, wars, and violence… also alcoholism and depression. In my mind, DNA tells the stories and carries symbols of protection in the same way knitting patterns do. The paradox is that something that protects you can also kill you.

Sacrum Facere ORGAN wins Danish and Estonian Music Awards!

I’m thrilled to share that my latest album – Maria Faust Sacrum Facere “Organ” (Stunt Records, 2020) was honored as Jazz Album of the Year at both the Danish Music Awards and Estonian Music Awards. It was also included in several international “best-of-2020” lists, including in Downbeat Magazine. Huge thank-yous to everyone who made the album possible and to those of you who have enjoyed it!

Here are some videos with music from the album:

MARIA FAUST – DJBFA PRIZE WINNER 2019

Maria Faust has received the prestigious and annually awarded “Hæderspris” from DJBFA, the Danish Composers’ and Songwriters’ Association. The prize was presented on September 18th, 2019 to a sold-out crowd at Hotel Cecil in Copenhagen. The winners remain anonymous to the public until the ceremony each year, and Maria received the award (which included a cash prize, statuette, and a live presentation/interpretation of her own music arranged and performed by a specially selected group of musicians) with this introduction by DJBFA Board Member and presenter

Anna Lidell: “Maria Faust is an artist – and magician. As a composer and saxophonist, she practices the rare art of wordlessly conveying emotions and stories. She fights and hungers for testing new boundaries, and cross-pollinates impressions and genres to end up with her own unique expression.”

One of the highlights of 2018 was cooperation with wonderful Estonian pianist Kirke Karja. Here is our first “baby” called “KAPITAL” for 3 cellos, 3 double basses, kannel, piano and alto saxophone. The piece is one of 9 new Hymns for free Estonia commissioned by the Estonian Jazz Federation and Estonia 100.