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ALSO ON CEDILLE RECORDS ACROBATS: MUSIC OF DAVID LEISNER CAVATINA DUO AND FRIENDS “This is tonal music, rich in invention and melody, emotionally direct, and beautiful. I’m sure it’s also a joy to play, with parts that creatively exploit each instrument’s potential. Leisner’s lyricism, gift for melody, and compositional finesse make his music very appealing. In addition, it’s doubtful that the Cavatina’s sophisticated and artistic playing could be surpassed.” – Fanfare Producer: Jim Ginsburg THE BALKAN PROJECT Engineer: Bill Maylone 1 Vranjanski Cocek / Raven Dance (Serbian song)* (3:06) Miroslav Tadic (b. 1958) Art Direction: Adam Fleishman / www.adamfleishman.com Composition by Carlos Rafael Rivera (b. 1970) Four Macedonian Pieces bl Jovka Kumanovka (song) (3:54) Cover Photo: Yolanda Camarillas, Burriana, Spain 2 Kad ja podjoh na Bembašu (Bosnian song)* (3:30) bm Zajdi, Zajdi (song) (4:56) Recorded: December 17 and 18, 2008, and June 29, 2009, in the Fay and Daniel Levin Composition by Vojislav Ivanović (b. 1959) bn Gajdarsko Oro (dance) (1:59) Performance Studio at WFMT, Chicago 3 Eleno, Kerko Eleno (Macedonian song)* (4:09) bo Pajdushko (dance) (3:52) Composition by Matthew Dunne (b. 1959) bp Makedonski pesen 4 Kalajdzisko Oro (Macedonian dance)* (4:34) (Macedonian song) (2:59) Composition by Atanas Ourkouzounov Cedille Records is a trademark of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a not- Composition by Clarice Assad (b. 1978) (b.1970) (from his Four Legends) for-profit foundation devoted to promoting the finest musicians and ensembles in the 5 Psevdah No. 2 / Clear Water (Bosnian song) (6:39) Chicago area. The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation’s activities are supported Composition by Denis Sparavalo (b. 1972) bq Rachenitsa (Bulgarian dance)* (3:49) in part by contributions and grants from individuals, foundations, corporations, and Composition by Clarice Assad 6 government agencies including the Alphawood Foundation, Irving Harris Foundation, Sivi grivi (Bulgarian dance)* (4:16) Kirkland & Ellis Foundation, NIB Foundation, Negaunee Foundation, Sage Foundation, Composition by Alan Thomas (b. 1968) Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (CityArts III Grant), and the Illinois Arts Council, 7 Jovano Jovanke (Macedonian song)* (5:12) a state agency. Composition by Michael Karmon (b. 1969) 8 Ajde slusaj kalesh bre Andjo* CAVATINA DUO CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHICAGO CLASSICAL RECORDING FOUNDATION (Macedonian song) (3:50) Eugenia Moliner, flute MAY BE MADE AT WWW.CEDILLERECORDS.ORG OR 773-989-2515. Composition by Clarice Assad Denis Azabagic, guitar 9 Kopanitsa da Kalantchatska (Bulgarian dance)* (2:43) Composition by Boris Gaquere (b. 1977) Total Time: (66:30) bu The Shepherd’s Dream (Croatian song) (5:58) *Commissioned by and dedicated CEDILLE RECORDS trademark of Composition by Alan Thomas to the Cavatina Duo The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation 5255 N. Lakewood Ave, Chicago IL 60640 USA 773.989.2515 tel - 773.989.2517 fax WWW.CEDILLERECORDS.ORG CDR 90000 117 P & C 2010 Cedille Records All Rights Reserved. Made in U.S.A 2 3 THE BALKAN PROJECT an exciting crossroad of civilizations out mighty Gypsies, the Troubadours of the and the “Hitzaz,” the fifth mode of the Notes by Vojislav Ivanović of which a definable Balkan spirit and Balkans. Originating from India, theirs harmonic minor. But the most exciting identity emerged. is a nation without a state or written characteristic of Balkan music, its true There is perhaps no place on earth history, but prone to being musicians trademark, is the rhythm, in particular where more very different cultures, Nowhere is that spirit expressed better and entertainers who act as the glue odd meters usually employed in fast languages, religions, and civilizations than in music: Fast songs with rhythms for this seemingly incongruent clash tempos. Most commonly heard are 7/8 meet and closely interact than the that make your body move with almost of civilizations. Ever traveling, they and 9/8, but 5/8 and 11/8 also make Balkans. uncontrolled passion, melancholy adopted, modified, and dispersed frequent appearances, and even more songs that inspire deep contemplation, Nowadays referred to as “Southeastern” music from all over the area, creating unusual meters such as 15/8, 21/8, and and love songs — so often wrapped in Europe, “the Balkans” comprise not a new style. 25/8 are sometimes featured. hidden messages — that touch the very only the Balkan Peninsula, but also the essence of the soul. In recent times, the influence of Western Finally, the New Age of globalization larger area incorporating present day music has become much stronger. So and the success of some films and Greece, Macedonia (Fyrom), Albania, The influences that have shaped Balkan with few exceptions (in countries where musicians brought worldwide attention Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia music are myriad. First, ancient Greek small bands still cultivate performance to the music of the Balkans. People and Herzegovina, and Croatia, as well musical theory and practice, which on old instruments using old scales) around the globe began listening to, as some parts of Turkey and Romania. laid the foundation for the world’s the predominant harmonic language appreciating, and even playing Balkan It takes its name from the Balkan dominant musical language through its is Western. But many facets of today’s music — so much so that it is now a well Mountains that run through Bulgaria modes-scales: The Ionian and Aeolian Balkan music, including some harmonic recognized part of the world’s musical and Serbia. “Balkan” is Turkish for “a modes became the West’s Major and traits, are still peculiar to this region: heritage. chain of wooded mountains.” It has Minor scales. Different Greek modes — unresolved tension in the form of always been, and remains today, the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and others — This CD is offers a particularly fine melodies ending on the second degree dividing line between East and West. influenced Byzantine sacred and secular example of that recognition. It is a of the scale harmonized with primary A poet once called it “the house made music, forming very differently “tuned” collaboration of two superb musicians, and secondary dominants; singing in the middle of the road,” and what a scales which, in turn, influenced one Balkan (Denis Azabagic is Bosnian), in parallel seconds; and the “deaf” busy road that was! Arabic and (later) Ottoman Turkish one not (Eugenia Moliner is of dance — dancing with rhythm only, no music — both “classical” and “folk.” Spanish origin), with a wide variety of In its tormented history, it has been melody at all. Melodically, there is the Pagan Slavs brought their own coarse, composers, most of whom are not from torn by endless wars, and political and melancholic “Balkan Minor” — Dorian northern rhythms and often pentatonic the Balkans. religious conflicts, but it has also been scale with the fourth step augmented — melodies. And then there are the 4 5 The music on this CD, most of which fast 9/8. Executed in an open circle, this passion. This song tells about a famous 3 Eleno, Kerko Eleno was commissioned by the Cavatina fast step dance from the Serbian region place in Sarajevo, Bentbaša, often (Macedonian song) Duo, consists of arrangements of of Vranje explodes into a pulsating whirl pronounced “Bembaša” in songs and Composition by Matthew Dunne (b. 1959) Balkan songs and dances. (Not all of sound, motion, and vibrant color. The other colloquial settings. The name Commissioned by and dedicated to the Cavatina Duo Balkan countries are included but the arrangement, which the composer titles comes from a Turkish word meaning “Eleno, Kerko Eleno” (Helen, my material chosen offers a fine specimen “Raven Dance,” follows the structure dam. From 1462 to 1875 there was a daughter!) is a classic Macedonian of this region’s beautiful traditional of the original Serbian dance and dam in Miljacka River, in the vicinity love song in a medium fast 7/8 meter, music.) And these are no ordinary emphasizes the virtuosic possibilities of of the Šeher- ehaja’s bridge, which Ć with western influenced melody and arrangements! Each piece goes far both instruments. was built by Isa-beg Ishakovi , the ć harmony. Elena’s mother asks why beyond mere quotation of a melody founder of Sarajevo. The original 2 Kad ja podjoh na Bembašu she is so thoughtful and what she is or a form to reveal the true essence of melody for this piece was most likely (Bosnian song) writing. Elena replies that it is a letter to the source material. (In most cases, the a spiritual Sephardic song that is still her beloved who is in Edrene (Turkey) title “Impression on [name of traditional Composition by Vojislav Ivanović (b. 1959) sometimes performed (although some and she is assembling a list of the song or dance]” would be appropriate.) Commissioned by and dedicated to the Cavatina Duo believe the song really comes from the gifts she would like him to bring her. All the works on this disc also beautifully Turkish military march “Vatan Mar i” This old traditional song, one of the ş Dunne’s skilful arrangement plays with exploit the timbres and technical composed by Rif’at Bey in 1877). This most famous in Bosnia, is actually a the melody and harmony of the song, possibilities of the guitar and flute to popular sevdalinka was performed in Sephardic melody. When the Jews were avoiding direct quotation. Only late provide a vehicle for the extraordinary the German film Die Letze Brücke (The persecuted and chased out of Spain and in the piece is the melody heard in its artistry of Denis and Eugenia. Letze Bridge), which strongly influenced Portugal by the Inquisition, many fled to entirety, richly reharmonized. Matthew the spread of its popularity. 1 Vranjanski Cocek / Raven Dance the Ottoman Empire, specifically, in this Dunne writes: (Serbian song) case, to the Balkans.