'Hourglass' is a genre-busting creation from leading Austrian composer Johannes Berauer and his first project for a small jazz ensemble. It features virtuosi Thomas Gould (violin), Gwilym Simcock (piano), Mike Walker (guitar), Martin Berauer (bass) and Bernhard Schimpelsberger (drums, percussion and Konnakol). In writing shorter melodic forms, Berauer still brings compositional thinking, focus on structure and development and a love for evolving themes, keen modulations and rhythmic adventures. Influences include Bach's counterpoint, Messaien's sense of harmony and M.C. Escher's paradox views of reality.