Duo Praxedis - Baba Bussi - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Astor Piazzolla is probably the best known composer of InchNuevo TangoInch - that exciting combination of passion and melancholy, of Tango Argentino and classical music. Duo Praxedis also represents an Inchexciting combinationInch (quote International Piano Magazine) with it's equally rare and tonally highly exciting instrumentation of harp and piano. The masculine-muscular aura of the concert grand piano in constant interplay with the feminine-sensual sound of the harp seem to be made for this music - a hitherto unheard-of tango experience, which you will not want to miss once you have heard the unique sound of Duo Praxedis!

Old Souls presents masterworks of Beethoven, Dvorák, Wolf and Kreisler in new arrangements for flute and strings, played by a group of outstanding young musicians. Guy Braunstein's arrangements display these well-known pieces in a fresh new light, while simultaneously expanding the flute repertoire and showcasing the exceptional possibilities of the instrument, here played by Gili Schwarzman. Braunstein and Schwarzman are joined by violinist Susanna Yoko Henkel, violist Amihai Grosz and cellist Alisa Weilerstein. While the arrangement of Beethoven's Violin Sonata Op. 23 entails a thorough recomposition of the original, the performances of Dvorák's InchAmericanInch String Quartet, Wolf's InchItalianInch Serenade and Kreisler's Syncopation stay closer to the source, with the flute taking up the role originally played by the first violin. The use of the flute creates novel sonic sensations through the way it blends with the strings, and at times gives the pieces a sparkle they did not have before. Guy Braunstein expands his PENTATONE discography, after having already released Tchaikovsky Treasures in 2019. Alisa Weilerstein presented Transfigured Night in 2018 as the first fruit of her exclusive collaboration with PENTATONE.

The album Histoires by the Duo Praxedis proves once again that the chamber music combination of harp and piano simply sounds charming and appealing, especially with the romantic repertoire heard on this recording. The double album contains arrangements of unknown composers who dedicated themselves to the opera heritage of Mozart, Donizetti and others. The mother and daughter piano/harp duo Duo Praxedis conveys a particular feeling of joy and musical eloquence through this unusual combination- both of their instruments and their personal relationship. Full of enthusiasm and dedicated to bringing this rich repertoire before a wider audience, this exceptional Swiss harp and piano chamber-music duo has been delighting the public since 1996 both in classical and contemporary repertoire and with their own arrangements of renowned works. Praxedis Hug's talent as a pianist, together with Praxedis Hug-Rütti's prowess as a harpist enables them both to perfect their creative range and unique soundscape.