I recently received this very
interesting and unique CD to review. I'll try to describe its
musical content in brief: Macedonian, Bulgarian, Polish, Russian
and Gypsy folk motives and themes are arranged and performed on
two button (chromatic) accordions. Some other folk instruments
are used too (tarambuka, bagpipes) as well as vocals. Rhythms
are typically Balcan and South Slavic rhythms: 9/8; 7/8; 6/8.
South Slavic motives and rhythms are something
I have grown up with, but on this recording they are brought
up to a level of very fine art.
Technically, all the pieces are performed
with great ease along with amazing tone and bellows control.
Stylistically, Piotr and Jacek play with a lot of feeling and
sensibility, their phrases 'breath' and 'sing' and are so refined
that it touches you emotionally. One cannot be critical of their
performances.
In general Balcan folk music needs a very
strong bass pulse and a colourful variety of different rhythms
(often Poly-Rhythms).
In the pieces where vocals appear it gives
them very special feeling of deepness and melancholy. I would
even dare to say Slavic melancholy! The vocals are also excellent!
At one point these fine musicians used the
theme from the last movement of Zolotariev's Sonata No 3, which
they do so with tastefulness and style.
An absolutely brilliant CD!
