The Peasant Girl
Viktoria Mullova is one of the finest violinists in the world today. She has been exploring world, jazz and pop music since at least 2000, when she released "Through the Looking Glass". This latest CD is best introduced from its own notes: "Mullova's rural origins in Ukraine are reflected in this eclectic album, which combines elements of classical music and jazz and reflects the phenomenal influence that the gypsies have had on swathes of music in the 20th century". The other performers are the Matthew Barley Ensemble: Matthew Barley, cellist (and Mullova's husband); Julian Joseph, piano; Paul Clarvis, drums and percussion; and Sam Walton, marimba, vibraphone and percussion. The program consists of 7 Bartók Duos, together with 2 tracks from Bratsch, a French band "who play gypsy music incredibly well even though none of them are actually gypsies", jazz improvisations from Joseph, Clarvis and Walton, and a performance of Kodály's 3-part Duo for violin and cello, op. 7. Wonderful music!
