From a statistical point of view, Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" probably belongs to the top ten most popular pieces of classical music recorded and played (sometimes even overplayed) on classical music radio stations. Not daunted by its overwhelming popularity, neoclassical composer Max Richter set to revisit Antonio Vivaldi's ... [Continue Reading]
Contemporary
Erik Truffaz & Murcof: Al mediodia
Erik Truffaz Ever since his appearance on the contemporary jazz scene in the early 1990s, and all the more since [amazon text=Dawn&asin=B004G7FFGW] (1998), his breakthrough recording for the Blue Note label, Swiss born Erik Truffaz (b. 1960) has never ceased to explore new sounds with various formations, experimenting and ... [Continue Reading]
Murcof feat. Erik Truffaz & Talvin Singh: Mir
"Mir" is a rare live collaboration between three outstanding musicians which was filmed for television during the 2006 Montreux Jazz Festival. It features the superb combination of Mexican electronica artist Murcof, Swiss born trumpet player Erik Truffaz and London born composer and tabla player Talvin ... [Continue Reading]
Lubomyr Melnyk: The six day moment
Lubomyr Melnyk (b. 1948) is a Ukranian pianist and composer who pioneered the concept of "continuous music" in the 1970s. "Continuous music" can be described as a never-ending and unbroken stream of notes played very quickly with both hands while holding down the sustain pedal. From a technical point of view, these continuous ... [Continue Reading]
Cesária Évora: Mãe Carinhosa
A new song by Cesária Évora is certainly a good excuse to open the floodgates of nostalgia! The Cape Verdean singer passed away in December 2011 after a very successful "late" international career. The singer was 47 when she recorded her first breakthrough album [amazon text=La Diva Aux Pieds Nus&asin=B00017YY90] in 1988. ... [Continue Reading]
Max Richter: The haunted ocean
Waltz with Bashir (2008) is a groundbreaking animated documentary by Israeli film maker Ari Folman. One night at a bar, an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The two men conclude that there's a connection to their Israeli ... [Continue Reading]
