Akhtamar Quartet - Legende Armenienne - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Now a staple of the repertoire, Debussy's String Quartet in G minor, Op. 10, nonetheless baffled Parisian audiences in it's day. It takes us down the most unexpected harmonic paths, drawing on sounds as diverse as jazz, gamelan and Spanish folk music. Rich in colour and exotic tones, this majestic poetic work frees itself from the traditional musical rules of the West. Balancing between Belgium and France and it's heart turned towards Armenia, the Akhtamar Quartet was immediately won over by this unique work, a real bridge between different cultures and traditions. Just as the relationship between letter and illumination is constantly being revisited, Judith Adler de Oliveira has reworked age-old Armenian themes in a spirit that is sometimes faithful, sometimes at odds with tradition. The initial theme is always audible, and it's anatomy will give the initial impetus to the composition, which moves insensitively, surreptitiously, from one musical language to another. Some of the themes chosen already appear in the Komitas/Aslamazyan Miniatures, thus tracing a gateway to this essential work in the Akhtamar Quartet's repertoire.

Roy Hargrove's Crisol - InchGrande-TerreInch / In April of 1998, fresh off their Grammy win for Best Latin Jazz Performance for their debut effort, Habana, Roy Hargrove's Crisol went into a studio in Guadalupe to record their follow-up album. Until now, that album, Grande-Terre, has never been heard. Featuring an all-star band of Roy's long-time collaborators, Grande-Terre showcases Hargrove's fiery playing, his exquisite writing and the band's incredible power and unique sound. Verve tag Group; Verve; Jazz

Third album of the Akhtamar Quartet with Cypres, Origins combines classical and folk heritage with contemporary creation, inviting everyone to explore shared stories and universal emotions. Since it's creation, the Akhtamar Quartet has enjoyed intertwining classical and folk music and exploring different cultures. This approach is evident on each of it's albums, while promoting a contemporary composer (Eugenie Alecian for Legende armenienne, Cypres - CYP1681, and Judith Adler de Oliveira for Enluminures, Cypres - CYP1684). From Antonin Dvorak to Jelena Dabic, a Serbian composer born in 1982, the music becomes eternal poetry and transports us through the ages. This is an essential recording for chamber music lovers. It celebrates both the romantic heritage, embodied by Dvorak's mature style, and the opening up to a new generation of female composers. With Anzhamanak by Jelena Dabic, this contemporary piece offers a unique sound experience with original timbres and reveals the full expressive power of the Akhtamar Quartet.