Ein Abend mit Herbert Pixner
Symphonic Alps - The documentary
by Christoph Franceschini
IT/AT 2023, 59 min., documentary film, dOV
The Herbert Pixner Project needs no further introduction. In this film, the exceptional musician Herbert Pixner and his three comrades-in-arms meet a 60-piece symphony orchestra. The Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterreich is one of the most renowned orchestras in the entire German-speaking world.
In the middle of the lockdown in spring 2021, these two musical worlds meet at the concert hall in St. Pölten. Three days of rehearsals and performances. The result is a new world of sound, characterised by musical diversity and an infectious love of improvisation. This film not only documents a unique concert event. It also allows viewers an unadulterated look behind the scenes and into the minds of the musicians.
*** Short break between the films ***
Herbert Pixner & Italo Connection
A road movie by Christoph Franceschini and Mauro Podini
IT/AT 2020, 85 min., documentary film, original language
"I wanted to do something loud again, something dirty, where we play full throttle," says Herbert Pixner, describing the idea behind the project. "The Italo Connection" is a kind of supergroup with Mario Punzi (drums), Max Castlunger (percussion), Marco Stagni (bass), Martl Resch (sax), Alex Trebo (keyboards) and Manuel Randi (guitar).
Christoph Franceschini and Mauro Podini accompanied the band with camera and microphone on the entire tour. From Sterzing to Hamburg via Rankweil, Salzburg to Berlin. The result is a gripping road movie about the touring life of the seven musicians, the man and musician Herbert Pixner and the passion for music.