Jaipur to Cairo
Cuatro Puntos is a multi faceted organization based in Hartford, Connecticut, USA dedicated to intercultural dialogue and universal access through the performance, writing, and teaching of music. Cuatro Puntos oversees a resident chamber music ensemble, a concert series, arts-integration workshops in local schools, the Music Moves Hartford program for those facing homelessness, and a partnership with the Müzikhane Social Music School in Southeastern Turkey. Its recent album ‘Rosegarden of Light’ on Toccata has been widely praised and the ensemble has performed extensively in many parts of the world.
This album is a musical journey beginning in India, with a work based on traditional raag, through pieces by Iranian composer Reza Vali, to Afghanistan for another piece by Bishop and the area around Syria for a work by Sadie Harrison whose connection with Arabic traditional music goes back many years, through Israel to Egypt for chamber works by Cohen and Farag.
As well as being extremely entertaining the album also demonstrates the universality of music in all its different guises as the true universal language.
Track Listing
-
Kevin Bishop:
- Jaunpuri (Morning Song) (11:36) Reza Vali:
- Three Love Songs - No. 1 Armenian Love Song (1:35)
- Three Love Songs - No. 2 In Memory of a Lost Beloved (3:21)
- Three Love Songs - No. 3 Love Drunk (1:49) Kevin Bishop:
- Afghan Suite No. 2 - I. Arghawan (3:28)
- Afghan Suite No. 2 - II. Merawi Keja Keja Yaraman (3:31)
- Afghan Suite No. 2 - III. Sabzina Rang (4:08) Reza Vali:
- Three Calligraphies - I. Hazin (4:36)
- Three Calligraphies - II. Zánd (3:42)
- Three Calligraphies - III. Aksak (3:47) Sadie Harrison:
- The Oldest Song in the World (6:10) Gilad Cohen:
- Ten Variations for Oboe, Piano and Strings (14:25) Mohamed-Aly Farag:
- Rhapsody for Violin and Strings (9:55)
Reviews
“This disc does truly bring together Eastern and Western musical ideas and performers resulting in a credible and convincing artistic whole. I derived a good deal of pleasure from this disc, both because of the engaging repertoire and the considerable skill of the performers. Recommended with enthusiasm.
” —Henry Fogel
“[Jaunpuri] is by far the highlight, featuring a searing beauty, serene lushness and calm so akin to its influence from Hindustani music.
” —James Roriston
“As well as being extremely entertaining the album also demonstrates the universality of music in all its different guises as the true universal language. A fascinating collection of compositions.
” —John Pitt
“[The Oldest Song in the World of 1400BC] and the swirling Calligraphies are not dissimilar, and nor are people of 1,500 years ago if they appreciated this as much as a modern listener still can.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“The playing throughout is honest to a fault, technically assured, even dazzling at times. The engineering of Justin Kurtz is flawless, and the accompanying booklet thoroughly informative, delivering another excellent Metier release.
” —Rafael de Acha
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