[classic] Anja Lechner & Vassilis Tsabropoulos

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Anja Lechner & Vassilis Tsabropoulos

2004 Chants, Hymns and Dances



A fascinating project by German cellist Anja Lechner and Greek pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos, “Chants, Hymns and Dances”, could be subtitled “Music from the Crossroads of the World”. It is a project that blurs the dividing lines between East and West, between composition and arrangement and improvisation, and between contemporary and traditional music.

At the centre of the repertoire are compositions by Tsabropoulos, which take as their inspirational starting point ancient Byzantine hymns, and music by the Armenian-born philosopher-composer Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff (c.1877-1949) which draws upon melodies and rhythms, both sacred and secular, of the Caucasus, the Middle East and Central Asia.

"Philosopher, seeker after the truth, reconciler of science and religion, teacher, guru to artists, writers and musicians, Gurdjieff was an enigmatic figure; even his birthdate is uncertain: 1866 or 1877. He taught movements "to alter or heighten consciousness" at his Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man, located outside Paris---a highly improvisatory process for which he composed equally improvisatory music.

Technically untrained, he depended on skilled assistants to realize and write down his ideas, and found one in a devoted disciple: Ukranian pianist/composer Thomas de Hartmann, who selflessly suspended his own career and, after Gurdjieff's death in 1948, privately published and recorded some of their collaborations.

As a composer, Gurdjieff, born at the border of Armenia and Turkey, was influenced by the region's ethnic and cultural diversity, by his childhood memories of the religious and philosophical songs improvised by his father, a Greek troubadour, by the hymns of the Greek Orthodox Church, and by his extensive travels through Europe and Asia. For this recording, the performers themselves arranged his compositions for cello and piano, adding five pieces by pianist Tsabropoulos, including three based on Byzantine hymns.

Both players have been involved with Armenian, Ukranian and Greek Orthodox music; both are expert improvisers. Their strong feeling and affinity for the material allows them to approach it with both reverence and freedom; the playing is primarily subdued and inward. The piano texture ranges from delicate tinkling to full-blooded chords and arpeggios; the cello, playing mostly in the low and middle register, often in unison with the piano, sounds dark, warm and beautiful.

The music, except for one lively dance, is slow, solemn, and mournful, in the minor mode. Melodies featuring oriental intervals are elaborated but not developed; based on single-note drones, harmonies are static or move in stepwise progressions but do not modulate. This lack of contrast and variety creates an otherworldly, disembodied atmosphere, despite several buildups of motion, dynamics, and intensity." -Edith Eisler

Tracklist:
George I. Gurdjieff
1. Chant from a Holy Book
2. Bayaty
3. Prayer
4. Duduki
5. Interlude I
Vassilis Tsabropoulos
6. Trois Morceaux après des hymnes byzantins I
7. Trois Morceaux après des hymnes byzantins II
8. Trois Morceaux après des hymnes byzantins III
9. Dance
10. Chant
George I. Gurdjieff
11. Interlude II
12. Assyrian Women Mourners
13. Armenian Song
14. (No. 11)
15. Woman’s Prayer
16. Chant from a Holy Book, var. 1

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Vassilis Tsabropoulos, Anja Lechner & U.T. Gandhi - Melos



"Melos" is the eagerly-awaited sequel to Anja Lechner’s and Vassilis Tsabropoulos’ album "Chants, Hymns and Dances", issued in autumn 2004 to much critical and public acclaim.

The focus there was on traditional Greek-Byzantine hymns and on melodies by the legendary spiritual mentor Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, newly arranged by Lechner and Tsabropoulos. Gurdjieff is also included on “Melos” but the emphasis has shifted to compositions by Tsabropoulos which recreate the traditional spirit in a modern albeit still highly melodious way.Their gentle musical flow is most varied, especially when the melodies open up in large improvisational sections.

The two musicians, both of them accomplished soloists in classical music, are joined now by Italian jazz drummer and percussionist U.T. Gandhi who adds new colours and subtle pulsations.

Each piece on Melos is melodically-direct but also offers perspectives for expressive playing. Anja Lechner's profile has grown over the last years, most notably thanks to her recent album and touring with Dino Saluzzi. Their collaboration Ojos Negros was a 5 Star Album of the Year 2007 in Down Beat. Melos has a genre-crossing appeal to lovers of classical, world and jazz.

Tracklist:
1. Melos
2. Song Of Prosperity I
3. Tibetan Dance
4. Gift Of Dreams
5. Reflections
6. Simplicity
7. Song Of Gratitude
8. Song Of Prosperity II
9. Sayyid Dance
10. Promenade
11. Reflections And Shadows
12. Reading From A Sacred Book
13. Vocalise
14. Evocation
15. In Memory

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mp3 192