Slavic Grooves & Meditations
Carla Thackrah, flute; Robert Harris, viola;
Romano Crivici, piano; Alex Henery, bass; Jess Ciampa, percussion
Review: "Often the most interesting artists are able to reinvent themselves, Picasso being the ultimate example. Having carved a career as a composer and violinist leading the Elektra String Quartet, Romano Crivici has now returned to his first instrument, piano, and formed a new ensemble playing compositions that draw on his Slavic heritage to varying degrees..."
John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
Excerpts from all movements
Suspended
Huppa Huppa
1. Again & Again 10:30
2. Huppa Huppa 19:00
3. Lutke Moja (Doll of Mine) 12:10
4. Ide Vreme (Goes the Time) 15:30
5. Suspended 12:15
6. Oh Yavore 10:10
Ranging from high energy, ‘up-your-beat’ rhythms, to spacious lyrical melodicism, Slavic Grooves and Meditations is a large-scale set of works three years in the making.
This offering explores and expresses something of the life affirming struggle of composer Romano Crivici’s coming to terms with his Balkan roots and musical influences.
A mix of Slavic rhythms, jazz, improvisation and contemporary art music, this is music to fire up and melt your multi-cultural soul.
Originally composed for flute (Carla Thackrah - Tango Paradiso, ex Australian Opera Orchestra), viola (Robert Harris - Principal Viola; Canberra Symphony and freelance soloist) and performed to rapturous European audiences in 2014, Slavic Grooves have now expanded and evolved into their rightful sound and symphonic proportions with the addition of piano (Romano Crivici himself), bass (Alex Henery - Principal Bass, SSO, London, etc) and percussion (Jess Ciampa - Australian Brandenburg and Monsieur Camembert).
Coming together in this combination for the very first time, witness these masters of many genres enjoy sharing and exploring this unique new world-music project.