Sephardic Journey
Released April 8th 2016
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Spurred by surprise discoveries in their family history,
flutist Eugenia Moliner and guitarist Denis Azabagic celebrate centuries-old Judeo-Spanish music with newly commissioned works by Alan Thomas, Joseph V. Williams II, Carlos Rafael Rivera, David Leisner, and Clarice Assad. "un viaje apasionante por senderos que creíamos perdidos y viven por siempre." "...a passionate journey down paths we thought were lost, but which live forever..." El Nuevo Herald |
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"The performance of the music transcends the mechanics of its creation, ..."
The Flute Journal, UK Read full review |
"The recording is infused with gorgeous, evocative melodies, soulful and plaintive laments, lyrical flights of fancy, sultry twists on the tango, startling percussive passages and an exhilarating energy..."
Read full review theWholeNote |
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"This music has been an absolute joy to hear! The Cavatina Duo and their performing partners the Avalon String Quartet and Desirée Ruhstrat and David Cunliffe of the Lincoln Trio—all Chicago based—are wonderful beyond praise. Bravi!"
Read full review Fanfare Magazine - Ronald E. Grames |
"Hats off to the Cavatina Duo...this is a set of uncommonly beautiful pieces performed with high artistry. It's one of the most delightful chamber recordings I've heard in quite a while."
Read full review American Record Guide - Kenneth Keaton |
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"...this disc features arguably the finest guitar-flute duo extant, Cavatina Duo...these pieces and the performances are on the very highest level; ..Clarice Assad's Sephardic Suite sometimes embraces almost avant-garde techniques in an amazingly inventive work, which has brilliant writing for the flute and guitar.
This is an essential disc for any lover of contemporary music. " Read full review Soundboard - Al Kunze |
"By all means give this gorgeous album a chance...this new release is simply lovely in all respects...The sound is superb, and this disc should surprise many."
Read full review AUDIOPHILE AUDITION—Steven Ritter |
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“…a remarkable, expressive, emotive CD that takes the listener on a true journey of sound…” Read full review The Flutist Quarterly (Jessica Dunnavant) |
"All the works on this program are performed by Moliner and Azabagic, who are known professionally as the Cavatina Duo, with their accustomed style and feeling for rhythmic and sonic values. The sound of Moliner‟s alto flute is particularly notable for its warmth and dark, well-grounded color, allowing Azabagic‟s guitar plenty of room to create its own sonic space and range of moods. ..."
Read full review Audio-Video Club of Atlanta, review by Phil Muse |
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Historic diaspora inspires poignant portraits of a people
"Atlanta-born Alan Thomas’ Trio Sefardi ...is a real find...Joseph V. Williams' Isabel is another melodic and rewarding piece-tragic throughout...Carlos Rafael Rivera’s work Plegaria y Canto... quite emotional and full of wonderful harmonies...David Leisner’s Love Dreams of the Exile... tender and nostalgic...Clarice Assad's Sephardic Suite,.. another major work...This CD is full of melodic, rewarding works that have something to say and resonate in the memory. Recommended! " Read full review Classical Guitar Magazine-CD |
"Leisner’s atmospheric Love Dreams of the Exile draws one back for repeated listening; the sighing microtones of its first movement, a meditation on the song “Yo bolí,” add a layer of deep resignation within the calmly flowing figuration that surrounds them. Assad’s “Sephardic Suite,” conceived as a kind of musical storytelling, is full of contrast and incident,..." Read full review Pasatiempo - The Santa Fe New Mexican |
