(Frankfurter Rundschau, 25, June, 2002)
 

Under the term "worldmusic" is in general
understood nothing else than traditional music
of the different regions of our earth. Among
them you will find the jamaican Reggae as well
as the portugese Fado or the classic Gagaku
which used to be music at court in Japan.
These styles are integrated frequentely and
more or less successfull in the western types
of music or they are presented as ethnical
folkmusic in its pure form.

The ensemble "Renaissance-Kontinental", with
idea and concept of John Arthur Westerdoll,
is one of the exceptions maybe even a forerunner
of a future performance. The unusual ensemble combines four continents, four cultures and four different styles of music. Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe are represented through the, each of them native, instruments. America does not appear. If by coincidence or calculation is not important because Tango and Samba, Jazz, Blues and Rock are available anyway wherever the international scenery of music finds a corner to perform which is why it is not of interest for a band like "Renaissance-Kontinental".

After solo-performance which is followed by different duets, the four musicians play together at the same time. And thats where the unique originality of the ensemble is showed: they meet to a original type of music which is not to be found in a certain region but is composed specially for the ensemble and its audience.

Maybe its because of its structure the only musical constellation that is worth to be called "worldmusic".