With so many in the classical recording industry talking about saturation of the core classics (no such thing in our opinion!), it is good to see fresh life coming from some of the less well-known instruments. Cameron Carpenter has been blazing trails on the organ for Sony, accordionist Martynas Levickis hit the charts running for Decca and DG has Avi Avital, fast-emerging as a star of the mandolin.
His first album, Bach, was very well-received, and his follow-up is now out.
As its title suggests, Between Worlds jumps cultures and genres. De Falla and Bartók feature alongside folk melodies from Bulgaria, songs from South America and Yiddish klezmer music. And Avital brought in leading lights from some of those worlds, such as the French jazz accordionist Richard Galliano.
Meanwhile, the collaboration with Argentinian-Israeli klezmer clarinettist Giora Feidman, one of the great masters of the genre, enshrines a long-standing friendship that has something of a mentor-protégé relationship about it. Feidman and Avital are of different generations but stay in close touch and tour as frequently as their schedules allow. So, it is very far from a record label's "marriage of convenience."
There's a rather lovely promotional film. Worth a watch. The album looks a cracker.
© 2024 Classicalite All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
