Polwechsel, a musical group formed in Vienna, Austria in 1993, is known for blending contemporary music and free improvisation. The original lineup included double bassist Werner Dafeldecker, cellist Michael Moser, trombonist Radu Malfatti, and guitarist Burkhard Stangl. Their name was inspired by a voltage adapter found in a second-hand shop. Polwechsel gained significant attention with their appearance at the 1996 LMC Festival in London. Following Malfatti's departure in 1997, saxophonist John Butcher joined the group. This lineup recorded Wrapped Islands (2002) with guitarist/laptop artist Christian Fennesz, which received positive reviews. In around 2004, percussionists Burkhard Beins and Martin Brandlmayr became part of Polwechsel. By 2009, both Stangl and Butcher had left the band, reducing it to a quartet. Notable albums include Polwechsel 3 (2001), Archives of the North (2006), Field (2009), Traces of Wood (2013), and Embrace (2023).
