Kakabadse, Lydia / Concertato
Album: Concertato   Collection:Classical
Artist:Kakabadse, Lydia   Added:Mar 2017
Label:Divine Art Records  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2017-03-28 Pull Date: 2017-05-30 Charts: Classical/Experimental
Week Ending: Apr 30
Airplays: 1

Recent Airplay
1. Apr 27, 2017: Moonlight Impressions
V. Straying Into The Unknown (4:30), Iv. A Landscape So Desolate (3:37), Iii. Evil Spirits Gather Round (4:29), Ii. Stranded Amidst Swirling Snows (2:34), The Coachman’S Terror For Violin, Viola, Cello, And Double Bass (2016). I. Snow

Album Review
Gary Lemco
Reviewed 2017-03-22
Lydia Kakabadse is a British composer who combines her Greek/Russian heritage with strong contrapuntal technique, and a devout interest in Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox liturgy choral traditions. This CD’s works, composed from 2004 to 2016 utilize traditional harmonies and are melodic, tho’ mildly to moderately sad. The images depicted are well described in the booklet. The Coachman’s Terror is based on Pushkin’s poem “Devils.” Dance Sketches (2011) are three diverse pieces: Arabic, courtly, and a study in staccato. The Concertato (2014) is a duet that seeks confrontation between the cello and double bass. Two Chamber Songs (2004; 2007) for mezzo-soprano and string quartet are set to a poem by Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe, respectively. Cantus Planus (2011) is a plainsong whose three mvmts represent canonical hours of prayer. Recitativo Arioso + Variations (2012) is an adaptation of an earlier work, here set for the string quartet Kakabadse favors, with double bass. The piece displays the composer’s ability to create counterpoint and color treatment of her lyrical idea.

Track Listing
1. The Coachman?S Terror For Violin, Viola, Cello, And Double Bass (2016). I. Snow   11. Iii. Andante Con Brio (2:49)
2. Ii. Stranded Amidst Swirling Snows (2:34)   12. Iv. Andante Energico (3:23)
3. Iii. Evil Spirits Gather Round (4:29)   13. Two Chamber Song I. Spellbound (2:21)
4. Iv. A Landscape So Desolate (3:37)   14. Ii. Eldorado (3:19)
5. V. Straying Into The Unknown (4:30)   15. Cantus Planus I. Matins (3:56)
6. Dance Sketches I. Arabian Folk Dance (3:39)   16. Ii. Lauds (3:45)
7. Ii. Stately Court Dance (4:05)   17. Iii. Vespers (4:25)
8. Iii. Dance Of The Clockwork Toys (2:17)   18. Recitativo Arioso + Variations. I. Recitativo Arioso (4:32)
9. Concertato I. Andante Espressione (2:46)   19. Ii. First Variation (2:22)
10. Ii. Andante Legato (2:31)   20. Iii. Second Variation (4:14)