Heresy Records Announces The American Release of EK-R: Five Stages of Transformation

A profound new musical meditation on loss, acceptance and renewal by Boris Bergmann and Raphaël Zweifel

Release Date: Friday October 16, 2026

Irish label Heresy Records is proud to announce the American release of EK-R: Five Stages of Transformation, an extraordinary new recording by composer and pianist Boris Bergmann and renowned Swiss cellist, vocalist and composer Raphael Zweifel. Inspired by the pioneering work of Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the album is an emotionally compelling exploration of the human journey through grief, transformation and ultimately acceptance.

More than a conventional classical recording, EK-R is an immersive musical experience combining contemporary composition, spoken word, cello, piano and voice. Across five interconnected movements, Bergmann reflects on Kübler-Ross’s celebrated model of the stages of transformation through deeply personal music of striking emotional honesty and lyrical beauty.

At the heart of the work are the powerful texts of the late German writer and critic Winfried Dulisch, written while he was confronting his own terminal illness. These poignant reflections were translated into Swiss German and narrated by Raphaël Zweifel, creating an intimate dialogue between music, language and lived experience. The work was composed during the COVID-19 pandemic with support from Germany’s Neustart Kultur programme.

Following Bergmann’s monumental cycle is Zweifel’s own hauntingly beautiful song Überem Zürisee (“Over Lake Zurich”), a lyrical tribute to the landscape that shaped both Zweifel and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. The album concludes with Benjamin Britten’s moving Elegia from the Cello Sonata in C, bringing this remarkable musical journey to a deeply reflective close. The programme also features Bergmann’s own arrangement of J.S. Bach’s cantata aria “The Soul Rests in Jesus’ Hands” (BWV 127), providing a luminous epilogue that unites the entire recording.

Reflecting on the work, Bergmann writes:

“EK-R is perhaps my most personal composition. It grew out of profound conversations with my dear friend Winfried Dulisch during the final years of his life. His extraordinary texts became the emotional centre of this work. Raphaël’s translation into Swiss German reconnects the music with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s own homeland while giving the words an intimacy that transcends language itself.”

The album represents a unique meeting of contemporary classical composition, timeless spirituality and deeply human storytelling. It offers listeners a space for contemplation, healing and hope while reaffirming music’s unique ability to illuminate life’s most profound experiences.

About Boris Bergmann

Composer, pianist and genre-defying musical innovator, Boris Bergmann has built an international reputation for work that effortlessly bridges classical music, contemporary composition, electronic music, punk and film. His scores have appeared in internationally acclaimed productions including Homeland and Inspector Barbarotti, while his concert works are celebrated for their emotional intensity, dramatic architecture and fearless originality. His recent compositions The Richter Scale and Taumelnd von Glut received widespread acclaim for their hypnotic power and expressive depth. Bergmann’s recordings combine rigorous craftsmanship with adventurous artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary European music.

About Raphaël Zweifel

Swiss cellist, vocalist and composer Raphaël Zweifel has enjoyed an international career spanning classical performance, improvisation, film music, contemporary dance and popular music. After early success as concerto soloist, he pursued artistic exploration across Europe, collaborating with orchestras, filmmakers, dancers and leading artists in both classical and popular music. His versatility has led to performances and recordings with artists ranging from Die Toten Hosen and Moses Pelham to contemporary dance companies and international film composers. Alongside his performing career, he has worked extensively as a composer, arranger and producer, bringing a rare breadth of musical experience to every project.

About Heresy Records

Founded in Ireland, Heresy Records has earned an international reputation for artistic excellence, adventurous programming, innovative artwork and exceptional musical and production values. For fifteen years the label has championed visionary musicians working across contemporary classical music, early music, jazz, world music and experimental genres. Its catalogue features many internationally acclaimed artists and has received widespread critical recognition for both artistic integrity and sonic quality. Heresy Records continues to commission, produce, curate, and release recordings that challenge convention while connecting deeply with audiences around the world. It’s recording of The Wexford Carols with Caitríona O’Leary, Tom Jones, Rosanne Cash and Rhiannon Giddens reached #1 on the Billboard and Amazon charts. Heresy is distributed in the UK and around the world by The Naxos Music Group and its affiliates.

For Media Enquiries Please Contact: Zack O’Leary – zack@heresyrecords.com and pr@heresyrecords.com

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