ECM New Series presents the first full album devoted to the music of Dobrinka Tabakova, a composer born in Bulgaria in 1980 but raised from a young age in London. In Tabakova’s music – richly melodic, texturally sensuous, often emotionally radiant – there resides the new and the familiar, or rather the familiar within the new, and vice versa; there are the spirits of East and West coursing through the pieces, usually hand in hand; and just as the composer’s technical virtuosity is apparent, she possesses a desire, and a gift, for direct communication that can be heard in virtually every measure. The recording features Tabakova’s Concerto for Cello & Strings and the Rameau-channeling Suite in Old Style for viola and chamber orchestra, as well as three chamber works: the string trio Insight, the string septet Such Different Paths and a trio for violin, accordion and double-bass, Frozen River Flows. The performers include star violinist Janine Jansen and several of Tabakova’s former conservatory colleagues: violinist Roman Mints, violist-conductor Max Rysanov and cellist Kristina Blaumane, principal with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Kristina Blaumane: cello
Maxim Rysanov: viola, conductor
Janine Jansen, Roman Mints, Julia-Maria Kretz: violin
Amihai Grosz: viola
Torleif Thedéen, Boris Andrianov: cello
Raimondas Sviackevičius: accordion
Vaiva Eidukaitytė-Storastienė: harpsichord
Donatas Bagurskas, Stacey Watton: double bass
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra
ECM New Series 2239
Reviews:
“The performances are as formidably assured as the roster of musicians would suggest…If not revelatory, Tabakova’s is still a thoughtful and approachable new voice which ought to secure an enthusiastic following.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2013
“she’s brilliant at seizing your attention…Tabakova’s Suite in Old Style for viola and chamber orchestra won’t frighten anyone – an affectionate baroque pastiche which does plumb genuine depths…ECM’s sound is, as usual, rich and detailed.” The Arts Desk, 1st June 2013
“Tabakova may be Bulgarian-born but she has drunk deep from the British pastoral spring. Her music is tonal, unequivocally emotional and tuneful…Revel in this – you cannot help but be emotionally moved.” MusicWeb International, 16th July 2013
“Tabakova writes for her chosen instruments with disarming naturalness and enthusiasm…Contemporary music, in short, that’s amazingly easy on the ear.” BBC Music Magazine, August 2013 *****
Tracks:
Dobrinka Tabakova
- Insight
- I. Turbulent, tense
- II. Longing
- III. Radiant
- Frozen River Flows
- Prelude: Fanfare from the Balconies – Back from hunting/I. Through mirrored corridors
- II. The Rose garden by moonlight
- III. Riddle of the barrel-organ player/Postlude: Hunting and Finale
- Such Different Paths
Concerto for Cello and Strings
Suite in Old Style
