Record Reviews

RADEK BABORAK / ORQUESTRINA ~ CUATROCIENTAS ESTACIONES DE ASTOR PIAZZOLLA ANIMAL MUSIC 092 (Barcode: 8594155998807) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Classical Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Czech French horn player / arranger / bandleader Radek BaborakFind albums by this artist and his OrquestrinaFind albums by this artist ensemble, which consists of French horn, bass clarinet, a string section and a rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) on all tracks (except the fifth), and additionally vibraphone on the first four tracks, and harp, bassoon and French horn quartet on the last remaining three tracks. The fifth track features a quintet of French horn, viola, cello, bass and piano. The album presents eight compositions by the Argentinean composer Astor PiazzollaFind albums by this artist, four of which are collectively known as “Cuatro Estaciones Portenas” (Eng. The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires), composed between 1965 and 1970, and additional four unconnected pieces composed between 1959 and 1982. The music was beautifully recorded at the Sono Records studio and engineered by Milan CimfeFind albums by this artist. Piazzolla remains to me as one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted 20th Century composers. His commonly known association with the Tango, which was hardly considered as an Art Form by Classically oriented music critics, pushed his musical vision and enormous talent into a “comfort niche” of curiosity, rather than serious musical achievement. But anybody familiar enough with Piazzolla’s music knows, that Tango was his inspiration, but it never limited his compositional skills and soaring imagination and he was able to create not only some of the most expressive and passionate, but also most sophisticated music ever. This beautiful album is a wonderfully aesthetic attempt to transpose Piazzolla’s music into the European territory, taking it closer to “conventional” Classical approach, without losing any of its beauty, passion and uniqueness. Baborak boldly and very cleverly changes the instrumentation, taking completely away the bandoneon and replacing it by the French horn, two instruments so different and yet apparently bridgeable by an open-minded arranger. Piazzolla’s close relationship with Jazz can be also clearly heard here, although more subtly than the Classical flavor. Baborak’s French horn performances and the brilliant idea of using a French horn quartet in the last three pieces are tremendously rewarding, adding a brass presence that is rarely heard in the Tango idiom. But of course all the musicians involved are superb instrumentalist and highly sensitive musicians. This album is another striking example of the brilliant work done by the Czech record label Animal MusicFind albums on this label, under the imaginative direction of its owner Petr OstrouchovFind albums by this artist, who is obviously one of the most open-minded and dedicated music producers in Europe these days. For Tango lovers this is obviously an absolute must have, offering one of the most original interpretations of Piazzolla’s music ever attempted, but every sensitive music lover should find this album highly fulfilling. The superb sound quality turns it into a euphoric listening experience. Hats off!

Updated: 23/04/2021Posted: 23/04/2021

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