Recent Releases, No. 36 (CD reviews)

By Karl W. Nehring

Roots: Transcriptions of Romantic Works for Cello & Piano. Brahms: Sonata for Cello & Piano in D Major, Op.78; Schumann: Fantasiestucke, Op. 73; Liszt: Transcription fo R. Schumann's "widmung" (Solo Piano; Faure: Apres un Reve (from Trois Melodies, Op. 7, No. 1); Massenet: Meditation for Thais; De Falla: Suite Populaire Espagnole. Sophie Webber, cello; Ines Irawati, piano. Sheringham 55491 24852.

At first glance this might look to be a fairly straightforward recital for cello and piano, but it is actually something a bit off the beaten path. As British cellist Sophie Webber (who now resides in San Diego) explains: “Our vision for this album was to being together a collection of favorite romantic works from the Cello and Piano literature which are all transcriptions from another instrumentation. Originally composed for voice (Fauré, Liszt, and Falla), violin (Brahms and Massenet), and clarinet (Schumann), we felt the reinstrumentation of these works exemplifies the versatility of the Cello and Piano. Furthermore, we felt it allows for a certain freshness of interpretation, while still being cognizant of the composer’s original writing and expressive qualities of the instrument/voice for which each work was initially conceived.”

The end result is a delight, as Webber and Indonesian-born pianist Ines Irawati (who also currently resides in San Diego) bring a sense of joyful exuberance to this music, clearly expressing their respect and affection for it. The program begins with the longest and most straightforward transcription of the set, a violin sonata by Brahms arranged for the cello. That is not to say it is dull or boring; Brahms was a master of melody and these women give them their full due. But is at the other end of their program where the joyful exuberance they bring to their playing really shines through as they bring us their version of De Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole. The energy they bring to their playing seems to jump right out from your loudspeakers and leave traces of happiness in the air. The recorded sound is excellent, with a good balance between the two instruments. Overall, Roots is a very pleasant and entertaining 66+ minutes of music. Brava!

Hafla. Tarraquab; Enamorado de Júpiter; Mirada Furtiva; La Estrella Fugaz; Arrihu Aqwadu Ma Yakunu Li-Annaha; Diálogo en la Noche; Linea Oscura; Saeta; Uquállibu; Wadadtu; Visita; Is There No Way. Jon Balke Siwan (Mona Boutchebak, vocals/kwitra; Darya Turkan, kemençe; Bjarte Eike, baroque violin/leader; Helge Norbakken, percussion; Pedram Khavar Zamini, tombak; Per Buhre, vocals/viola; Jon Balke, keyboards/electronics/tombak); Barokksolistene (Peter Spissky, Louise Gorm, Arsima Asghodom, violins; Torbjörn Köhl, Mikkel Schreiber, violas; Mime Yamahiro Brinkmann, violincellos; Johannes Lundberg, double bass). ECM 2726.

Norwegian keyboardist and composer Jon Balke (b. 1955) never had formal musical training per se  ut instead has relied more on feeling and intuition to guide him along his long and varied musical path. He has recorded a number of albums for the ECM label with ensembles of various sizes and configurations, generally under the guise of Magnetic North Orchestra or, as in this case, Siwan. The music has an exotic feel, combining droning, plucking strings with percussion, vocals, (both sung and spoken), some electronic effects – but all done with a light touch. Balke has always been a master of texture, able to bring together musicians from different cultures and nationalities to make music that sounds original yet familiar at the same time. The vibe is Middle Eastern, somewhere between classical, jazz, and folk in terms of musical genre. The baroque violin is played in a style nothing like Vivaldi of Bach; rather, it is played much more exotically, sliding up and down the scale, droning and moaning and wailing as a complement to the plaintive vocal stylings of Mona Boutchebak. The end result is music that is hypnotically compelling, seeming to emanate from some dimly remembered but deeply affecting branch of the musical multiverse.

JJP