The Balkan Project – Cavatina Duo – Cedille 90000 117, 66:30 [Distr. by Naxos] ***1/2:
This album is mainly of commissioned works (by the Cavatina Duo—Eugenia Moliner, flute, and Denis Azabagic, guitar) by non-Balkan composers of music which nevertheless is modeled for the most part on Baltic forms from a variety of different countries in the region. Macedonia, Bulgarian, Croatian, Bosnian, you name it, are all found here in relatively short pieces that are able to convey the essence of the rhythmic and melodic foundations of this particular ethnic music.
Especially rhythmic are these pieces, to a complexity that seems bewildering, though that same complexity can also “feel” relatively simply in a broader context. And if you like modal music then this is the place to be, for this region’s native music is loaded with it, the ancient Greek modes, Byzantine music and gypsies all contributed to the uniqueness of this art.
The Cavatina Duo obviously loves this music, playing it with passion and appropriate subtlety when needed, never once letting down their guard when those devilish rhythms come their way, and giving the whole a fine sense of style and sophistication. Flute and guitar music, no matter how good and how well-played, can be a tough thing to take in one sitting, and this is no different—if you are not careful it can recede into the background, and this happened to me several times, so I would recommend it in smaller doses. Some will like this more than others and you know who you are. But the unquestioned musicianship and fine glimpse into an area probably unknown to most earn a definite recommendation.
TrackList:
1 Vranjanski Cocek / Raven Dance (Serbian song)—Carlos Rafael Rivera (b. 1970)
2 Kad ja podjoh na Bembašu (Bosnian song)—Vojislav Ivanovic (b. 1959)
3 Eleno, Kerko Eleno (Macedonian song)—Matthew Dunne (b. 1959)
4 Kalajdzisko Oro (Macedonian dance)—Clarice Assad (b. 1978)
5 Psevdah No. 2 / Clear Water (Bosnian song)—Denis Sparavalo (b. 1972)
6 Sivi grivi (Bulgarian dance)—Alan Thomas (b. 1968)
7 Jovano Jovanke (Macedonian song)— Michael Karmon (b. 1969)
8 Ajde slusaj kalesh bre Andjo (Macedonian song)—Clarice Assad
9 Kopanitsa da Kalantchatska (Bulgarian dance)—Boris Gaquere (b. 1977)
10 The Shepherd’s Dream (Croatian song)—Alan Thomas
Four Macedonian Pieces
Miroslav Tadic (b. 1958)
11 Jovka Kumanovka (song)
12 Zajdi, Zajdi (song)
13 Gajdarsko Oro (dance)
14 Pajdushko (dance)
15 Makedonski pesen (Macedonian song)—Atanas Ourkouzounov (b.1970) (from his Four Legends)
16 Rachenitsa (Bulgarian dance)—Clarice Assad
— Steven Ritter
