Bridges, Vol. 2
Monash University–based Chamber Mélange present an engaging collection of modern Czech and Romanian chamber works shaped by European folk music and neo-classicism.
Otmar Mácha composer
Tiberiu Olah composer
Bohuslav Martinů composer
Alfred Mendelsohn composer
Livia Teodorescu-Ciocănea composer
Petr Eben composer
This disc gathers music by Czech and Romanian composers written between the 1930s and 2008, among them Otmar Mácha, Alfred Mendelsohn, Tiberiu Olah and Bohuslav Martinů. Many of these composers drew on European folk music and neo-classical habits, so accessibility is a fair word for the programme. It suits listeners who want repertoire outside the usual mainstream without losing contact or warmth.
Chamber Mélange are two leading Monash University staff, Tamara Smolyar (piano) and Ivana Tomášková (violin). The release follows the earlier Monash Bridges programme (Bridges, Vol. 1).
The starting point was the sonic and symbolic variety of bells across cultures and times. Variation of bell sonorities comes with the different sizes, materials, forms, settings etc. But most importantly, the differences are due to their assigned significance within a culture. Bells are resonating bodies that are always calling for people’s emotional or practical responses. I have tried to combine features of bell sonorities from the Orthodox and Catholic Churches and also to give a flavour of bells ringing on James Cook’s ship Endeavour while circumnavigating the globe and discovering the east coast of Australia.
Artist
Chamber Mélange
World class musicians Ivana Tomaskova (violin) and Tamara Smolyar (piano).
Audio previews
Tracks
- Allegro moderato 2:53
- Andante 3:26
- Allegro assai 3:42
- Elegie for violin and piano Otmar Mácha 9:01
- Allegro ritmico 4:03
- Andante cantabile 2:50
- Allegro ritmico 3:24
- Moderato 2:32
- Poco allegretto 1:55
- Andante moderato 2:37
- Scherzando, poco allegro 1:43
- Poco allegro 1:42
- Prelude 2:45
- Fugue 5:10
- Endeavour Bells for piano Livia Teodorescu-Ciocănea 9:30
- Allegro giusto 4:09
- Moderato e cantabile 4:28
- Vivace e accentato 3:12
Sonatina for violin and piano Paul Constantinescu
Piano Sonatina Tiberiu Olah
Five Madrigal Stanzas for violin and piano Bohuslav Martinů
Partita for violin solo Alfred Mendelsohn
Sonatina Semplice for violin and piano Petr Eben
Performers
- Chamber Mélange
- Ivana Tomášková · all except track 15
- Tamara Smolyar · tracks 1–12, 15–18
Composers
Petr Eben
Petr Eben wrote prolifically for the organ, alongside vocal, choral and orchestral scores. His language is neoexpressionist with flashes of impressionist colour, often grown from public improvisation into lasting recital cycles.
Livia Teodorescu-Ciocănea
Livia Teodorescu-Ciocănea is currently on the academic staff at Romania's National University of Music teaching musical analysis. She has written theatrical, orchestral, concertos, chamber and solo works, and has had her scores performed across Europe and in Australia.
Bohuslav Martinů
Bohuslav Martinů’s chamber music mixes folk-rooted melody with neo-classical drive: the Impromptu for violin and piano flashes with skittish dance and motor energy, while the Variations on a Slovak Theme give the cello a long, singing line of real warmth.
Contributors
Photography
Ales Nebesky
Front cover
Benjamin Thomas
Benjamin Thomas is a graphic designer and illustrator whose cover artwork, illustration and design appear on many Move Records releases.
Where to listen
Bridges, Vol. 2 is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Bridges, Vol. 2 is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3342
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 69 minutes 2 seconds
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Venue
- Move Records Studio
- Thanks to
- Monash University
- Credit
- Ales Nebesky
Benjamin Thomas - Release date
- 2010
- Musical work
copyright - © 2010 Monash University
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 2010 Move Records
- Categories
- Classical, Cross-cultural
- Genres
- Modernist Classical, Contemporary Classical
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574334227
Related recordings
Bridges, Vol. 1
Chamber works by Australian, Korean and Romanian composers, recorded by Monash University staff and guests, mapping cultural bridges across Eastern Europe, North Asia and Australasia after decades of relative isolation.