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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HLASKONTRABAS OKTET ~ KALEIDOSCAPES ANIMAL MUSIC 125 (Barcode: 8594211850445) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2024 Released: 2024 This is an album by the Czech ensemble Hlaskontrabas OktetFind albums by this artist, comprising of four female vocalists (Ridina AhmedovaFind albums by this artist, Alice BauerFind albums by this artist, Mirka NovakFind albums by this artist and Marketa ZdenkovaFind albums by this artist) and four bassists (Ondrej KomarekFind albums by this artist, Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist, Ondrej StajnochrFind albums by this artist and Petr TichyFind albums by this artist), i.e. a vocal-bass octet, as the name suggest. The album presents nine compositions commissioned by the octet from several composers hailing from Czech Republic, Norway, Island and Israel. The music offers a wordless vocalese (with one exception, when a Buddha quote is used as lyrics) sung by the vocalist, which offers a choir effect, and accompanied by the bass players, who play conventionally (i.e. plucking or bowing) as well as use the bass to produce percussive sounds. The combined effect is absolutely stunning, original and innovative, and to be honest I am not surprised to see this album released by the superb Czech Animal MusicFind albums on this label label, which is true worldwide pioneer in every aspect of recording music, including the brilliant sound quality their records offer. Stylistically the music is of course strongly Jazz oriented, as the melodic themes are performed by the vocal quartet with a high degree of improvisation, and the basses provide a strong rhythmic accompaniment. But a more attentive listening reveals many World Music elements and of course strong Classical Music influences – in short a true musical kaleidoscope. The album reflects the European aesthetics at its most profound level, with each and every aspect of this music deeply contemplated, meticulously planned, and finally put together with care and at the time panache and flair, as appropriate for “high culture” one should to strive for. In many respects this album brings back fond memories of the great vocal ensembles, such as Vocal SummitFind albums by this artist, but this time combined with the unfamiliar / wild bass quartet, as additional flavoring, creating one of the most exciting results in vocal Jazz, of a level not heard in many years. Overall, this is one of the most profound and aesthetically gratifying albums that landed on my desk since quite a while. This is completely universal music, co completely cross-genre and mystifyingly encompassing Artistic values, that it leaves me overwhelmingly speechless (contrary to the fact that I am writing about it). I am deeply grateful to Petr OstrouchovFind albums by this artist and Natalia OstrouchovaFind albums by this artist (the couple behind Animal Music) for their consistency, dedication and sublimely great taste. You make this world a better place!

Updated: 20/05/2024Posted: 20/05/2024

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