SONG TO THE MOON
Azica Records 2024 Called Song to The Moon, this CD celebrates the art of the German Lied and art song in general. Songs by Mahler, Schubert, Nikolai Medtner, and music inspired by Dvorak are performed, with the vocal lines being given to the flute, in either their original form, or in a slightly varied form. The result is a beautiful CD that displays Moliner’s gorgeous sound, diverse tonal color palette on flute as well as giving the listener a new perspective on these sublime melodies....Throughout the recording Song to Moon, Moliner sings beautifully through her flute, and successfully manages to change her sound so that the tone colors reflect the emotions being expressed in music.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this disc offers the listener an opportunity to sit back, relax and hear Moliner’s gorgeous Song to the Moon. Winnipeg CLASSIC107's Chris Wolf |
“With many of the world-class artists performing on Wings being well-known to Chicago audiences, such as Mathias Tacke, Eugenia Moliner, Denis Azabagić, and Kuang-Hao Huang, coupled with Levin’s own ties to the area, this album was a no-brainer to be a featured New Release on WFMT. The two individual movements of title work Asas (for clarinet, violin, and piano) is likely to remain in circulation for the charm of the first movement “Bem-te-vi” with its catchy birdsong motif and the atmosphere of the second movement “Sabiá,” evoking morning in a Brazilian forest. The rhythmic energy of “Norte-Sul” from Linguas Fraternas (for viola and piano) is also appealing for repeated listening.”
Oliver Camacho, Music Director, WFMT “Blending 20th-century harmonic gestures with charmingly lyrical and programmatic themes, the pieces featured on this album are both enticing and, at times, a bit challenging…exudes a palpable sweetness and joy throughout.” Rick Anderson, CD HotList |
Critic's Choice American Record Guide 2020
“Flutist Eugenia Moliner and guitarist Denis Azabagic are without a doubt one of my favorite Duos. Here they bring us The Folias of Spain by Marin Marais and the 12 Fantasias of Telemann with a guitar accompaniment composed by Alan Thomas... the music It sizzles, it cooks, it steams. Gorgeous sound and gorgeous playing delight the ear... be certain to check out their other recordings”
American Record Guide Read full review “The extra fluidity of the flute and its own distinctive kind of intimacy help..."
Music web International Read full review |
" It’s a real challenge to take something very familiar and make it sound new... the Cavatina Duo successfully met that challenge"
WTJU 91.1 FM - Ralph Graves Read full review |
“I believe that Marais would smile and nod approvingly at a performance executed with such sensitivity and as beautifully as this one is by Moliner and Azabagic.”
Jerry Dubins-Fanfare magazine, USA Read full review |
“The splendidly international coupling of Spanish flutist Eugenia Moliner and Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagić offers playing of polish and panache..."
Colin Clarke, Fanfare magazine, USA Read full review |
“Cavatina Duo, superb! She has it all: technique, intonation, emotion"
David Reznik, Fanfare magazine, USA Read full review |
"There is much, much more to this disc, and I’ve but only hit a few highlights. The playing is fluid, well-balanced, and precise by the duo. The nimbleness of Moliner is matched by her easy and clear playing, making each work speak with excellent clarity. The guitar of Azabagic is the perfect partner,
Bertil van Boer, Fanfare magazine, USA Read full review |
“Both( Marais and Telemann)are here played by flute and guitar. And how good they sound!
It is very clear how adventurous and diverse the Cavatina Duo is in its choice of repertoire. Music Web International Read full review |
“Described by Gramophone as "relentlessly mellifluous" and by Grammy-winning producer and leading guitarist David Starobin as "simply the finest flute-guitar duo on the planet", the Cavatina Duo offer a recording for our times: music at once heartbreaking and uplifting.”
Click Musique Read full review |
“Moliner is a flautist of tonal purity and dexterity who brings consummate taste..."
Donald Rosenberg, Gramophone Magazine Read full review |
SONIC MIGRATIONS, Music by Laurie Altman
Released February 2017
Cavatina Duo Collaborates in one beautiful piece
with Soprano Patrice Michaels in Music by Laurie Altman.
The CD was just released by German Record Company, NEOS.
Produced by Judith Sherman
Sephardic Journey
Released April 8th 2016
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 |
"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 |
"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 |
"...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 “…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 |
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 |
American Record Guide
CRITIC'S CHOICE, BEST OF 2015
"…Lovely Playing, Relentlessly Mellifluous...and Exceedingly Pleasant..." "...Stunning artists..." "Breathtaking brilliance...." |
"If there is a finer flute and guitar duo in the world than Cavatina Duo, I have not heard them. Denis Azabagic and (his wife) flutist Eugenia Moliner are both world class virtuosi and brilliant musical interpreters. And on their delightful disc of operatic arrangements they are immeasurably aided in most of the works by the inspired and creative work of composer and arranger Alan Thomas. "With utterly breathtaking brilliance and a confidence that lets them take calculated risks in stride, the Cavatina Duo take us on an enchanted itinerary through some of the most luxuriant music of 19th century opera." "Flutist Eugenia Moliner and guitarist Denis Azabagic are both phenomenal performers. They make the difficult sound effortless... "...Electrifying performances from the Cavatina Duo...will leave listeners feeling lighter than air. |