I have been able to observe Malte Schiller's development as an artist since 2008, initiually as a teacher, and subsequently as a colleague and friend. To see his arc of progress from enthusiastic young music school graduate to determined and highly motivated seeker of knowledge and onward to become one of the leading composers/arrangers of his generation has been absolutely thrilling.Malte has chosen his musical heritage wisely, and he builds upon this tradition in a way that shows deep respect for his forbearers while simultaneously moving his music in surprising and refreshing new directions. Form, orchestration and the relationship between composed and improvised material are some of the outstanding elements of Malte's music, and I am particularly enamored by his sense of melody and melodic development. Ed Partyka