The Erlkings
For a year I refused to hear them. What trendy band was this, and how dare they traduce the greatest songwriter of them all? Pop arrangements in ENGLISH. Ugh! One day I saw that they were to perform at one of my favourite venues: Wilton’s Music Hall. I went on line to discover more – and heard and saw a performance of ‘Auf dem Wasser zu singen’ that blew me and all my prejudices away.
Not only are THE ERLKINGS paving the way for a new generation of Schubert fans (there were more young faces in the audience than I’ve seen at any other concert hall), they are also offering a new perspective on a repertoire already prized by so many. Every arrangement and translation demonstrates a true love and respect for Schubert as well as a willingness to break from convention and discover new facets of these wonderful songs. As a life-long student of Schubert’s Lieder, I consider THE ERLKINGS to be a most precious addition to his legacy.
Richard Stokes - Professor of Lieder at the Royal Academy of Music, London
Bryan Benner
Baritone/Guitar
American born troubadour Bryan Benner has been living and working as an opera singer, folk singer, guitarist and composer in Europe for over 14 years. He is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität Wien, and the Conservatorio Statale di G. Rossini in Pesaro, Italy. Since 2011 Bryan has made his home in Vienna, Austria, where he has become an important fixture in the musical life of the city. Among his many projects is the Late- Night Liederabend, a musical variety show that has been generously funded by the city of Vienna since 2015.
A passionate and motivated advocate for Kunstlied (German language art song), Bryan is the founder, translator, singer and guitarist of THE ERLKINGS. This unusual yet groundbreaking ensemble has enjoyed success at many of the worlds most renowned Lied institutions, such as the Schubertiade in Hohenems, Wigmore Hall in London, Heidelberger Frühling and the International Hugo Wolf Academy to name a few.
Bryan is also a celebrated songwriter and lyricist. He most recently released his 6th album of original works entitled “Stay Hydrated”. His musical influences range from American country music to Viennese art song. Bryan is endorsed by Hanika Guitars (Baiersdorf, Germany) and is honored to play a Hanika Fusion PC. He is proud to be represented by Svea and Julius.
Ivan Turkalj
Violoncello
Ivan Turkalj commutes with dedication between different musical epochs and styles: From baroque flourishes to contemporary experiments and from jazz-patterns to classical string quartets. For over a decade now he has been touring worldwide as a cellist, fascinating his audience with musical diversity: Jazz with the New Piano Trio, interdisciplinary programs with the Pool of Invention, timeless Schubert with THE ERLKINGS and various solo programs that cover the entire musical spectrum.
He completed his varied musical education at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the University of Music Wuerzburg and at the Zurich University of the Arts, studying modern cello, composition, baroque cello and jazz cello. Furthermore, he won numerous national and international competitions.
Apart from his musical engagements, Ivan Turkalj is also active as an entrepreneur - whether in the position of product manager for various technological music projects, as Head of Business Development at Music Traveler or as strategy consultant at Muvac and Klassical. Additionally, Ivan - together with his longstanding musical partner Florian Willeitner - is currently in the process of establishing the collective Pool of Invention, which produces interdisciplinary and transcultural projects and combines artistic and business competences under one roof.
Simon Teurezbacher
Tuba
From local folk music regulars in cosy pubs over jazz clubs to the big orchestral stage - the versatile tuba player is comfortable in every genre and every location. After completing a training within the metal industry he switched gears and studied bass tuba and music education at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
His extensive studies introduced him to various musical styles and genres, which he now explores as a member of many different ensembles. Whether it’s brass band or folk music, pop, jazz or contemporary music - Simon’s genre flexibility makes him a popular ensemble partner and he can frequently be found as a substitute in the big Viennese orchestras.
With THE ERLKINGS, Simon enjoys discovering new approaches to the infinite world of song and provides the required groove and deep sounds. Apart from his musical projects he currently works as a music teacher for brass and ensemble performance.
Thomas Toppler
Percussion/Vibraphone
Thomas Toppler enjoys a diverse and multifaceted career as a musician, actor and director. His first passion was for the drums, which he began studying as early as 6 years old. His professional training includes a masters degree in percussion studies from the Kunstuniversität Graz as well as a degree from the international Theatre School École Philippe Gaulier in Paris. As a musician, Thomas has worked with numerous high profile orchestras for both concerts and world tours, including the Wiener Symphoniker, Concentus Musicus, Wiener Kammerorchester and the Volksoper Wien.
Thomas is the co-founder and director of London based theater company Ship of Fools, which has enjoyed success with its various productions throughout Great Britain. He has also worked as a stage director with notable music ensembles such as Da Blechhaufn, Louie’s Cage Percussion, The Hankebrothers and for the Mozartwochen in 2019. As a film director he has produced commercials for Die Gruft and Das Neunerhaus, to name a few.
Since 2017 Thomas has taught the subjects Le Jeu, Characters, Bouffon and Physical Comedy at the theater school Schule des Theaters in Vienna. He also teaches regularly at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, the ISA - Internationalen Sommerakademie für Kammermusik as well as the Vienna University of Economics and Business where he gives workshops in Pitching.
Press reviews
“The Erlkings brought a brilliant Crossover- Show to the Meisterkonzert series. One rarely hears Schubert’s ‘Die schöne Müllerin’ performed with such creativity and competence. Schubert with addictive potential!”
— Mainpost
“The care with which these musicians play elicits such an intimacy and closeness to the original, that even someone who has never heard a song by Schubert finds themselves in a state of fascination.”
— Frank Siebert, SHMF
“A full-frontal approach to Schubert. They endeavor to unfreeze art song from it’s long, frozen sleep.”
— Deutschland Radio
“As a life-long student of Schubert’s Lieder, I consider the Erlkings to be a most precious addition to his legacy”
— Richard Stokes, Professor of Lieder at the Royal Academy of Music, London
“In conclusion: Rather than a storm of puritanical indignation at their new arrangements of Schubert Lieder, The Erlkings received a wave of uproarious applause.”
— Vorarlberger Nachrichten
“The Erlkings have taken Schubert’s songs out of the Biedermeier-parlor and into the beer-garden.”
— MWDR 5 | Kulturmagazin Scala
Downloads
Please feel free to download our high resolution images (©Julia Wesely), bio and audio samples. If you need any other material, please don’t hesitate to contact us: theerlkings@gmail.com