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Eleni Karaindrou- Eternity and a Day (ECM NEW SERIES 1692)
I would like to think that when it comes to Greek contemporary music, that composers like Eleni Karaindrou ,Vangelis Katsoulis, or even someone like Minas Alexiadis are not the exception to the rule. I'm sure that there is a wealth of talent out there, it's just that you rarely get to hear any of the truly brilliant recordings. My own program here on Sydney radio follows on after a Greek program, and all I will say that the music (on the Greek program) is bloody awful and were it not for composers like Karaindrou I would dismiss Greek music without a further thought. ECM has released her fourth album to date, yet another fine accompaniment to a film by Theo Angelopoulos-Eternity and a Day. Karaindrou's association with the Greek film maker goes back to 1984, and this is her sixth score to his films. The film stars possibly my favorite actor of all time, Bruno Ganz. Entering Karaindrou's world of sound to vision is a roller coaster of personal memories, emotions, hopes and fears, coupled with a sense of Greek identity and culture. Not that you have to be Greek to enjoy this. This is intelligent contemporary Greek music, music based along the lines of classical ideology mixed in with traditional instruments, with elements of Greek folk music yet still very much modern. Anyone who is aware of Theo Angelopolous' films will know of his use of long panoramic shots taking in the geography of the Greek landscapes. As such this score is a wonderful accompaniment, giving the listener an acute sensation of time, depth and distances. There is a longing in this music , a pensive - emotional undercurrent that appeals immediately. The same musical themes have been explored on other recordings like Ulysses Gaze, or even The Suspended Step Of The Stork. On this album accordions and mandolin play alongside strings and woodwinds. A remarkable combination of sounds are achieved as a result. It would have been great to hear the wonderful voice of Ganz on record again. A wonderful recording and one of many fine new releases for ECM.
from : http://www.users.bigpond.com/nadabrahma/reviews/contemporary/eternity.html
