Roland Dyens (b.1955)
Tango en skaï
Hector Ayala (b.1914)
South American Suite
Ernesto Cordero (b.1946)
Premiere recording
Three Cantagas negras
Edmundo Vasquez (b.1938)
Premiere recording
Auzielle |
Joäo Teixiera Guimaräes
(Pernambuco) (1883-1947)
Graüna (Blackbird)
Sons de Carrihões (Sounds of Bells)
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Verano Porteno (Summer in Buenos Aires)
Premiere recording
Rio Sena (River Seine)
La Muerte del Ángel (Death of the Angel)
Dilermando Reis (1918-1976)
Premiere recording
Xödó da Baiana (Sweetheart of Bahia)
Se ela perguntar (If she should ask) |
Eleftheria Kotzia certainly sounds a confident guitarist with a wide dynamic
range, quite aggressive at times, but refined and lyrical when required and
a fine sense of the use of tone colour.
There are moments of slight hesitation but on the whole she is secure
rhythmically, which is imperative given this type of repertoire. The recording
itself is a little noisy, possibly due to the closeness of the microphone
to the instrument, so string squeaks and Miss Kotzia's breathing are audible.
But through it all comes an undeniable enthusiasm and enjoyment of playing
the guitar.
Although I do like Villa-Lobos, Lauro and Barrios it is refreshing to hear
a disc of Latin American guitar music where they are conspicuous by their
absence and not at all missed. To be sure there are some old favourites here
but these are more than adequately balanced by some lesser known works and
some 'interesting' premier recording especially from Ernesto Cordero whose
'Three Cantagas Negras' incorporates various percussive effects as well as
crossed string techniques that shows his modern forward looking approach,
which is in contrast to Edmundo Vasquez's view of purity of form in his
'Auzielle'. The diversity of styles is maintained by the jazz tinged tango
based music of Piatsollo, whereas Hector Ayala endeavours to capture the
main musical characteristics of South America as a whole via his seven movement
suite (first made known to me some years ago on a recording by Narciso Yepes).
John Duarte supplies the booklet inlay notes which, it goes without saying,
are concise and very knowledgeable.
So, disregarding the technique employed by Chandos for this recording, an
enjoyable CD of music which deserves subsequent listening.
Reviewer
Andy Daly
Eleftheria
Kotzia
