Innovation and tradition are the two words that describe this album. Based on traditional Hebraic themes, the Israeli composer Anna Segal brought to life music for harp and bassoon dedicated to Rachel Talitman and Mavroudes Troullos, praising the long standing civilisation and spirit of the Jewish nation.
The album consists of the world premiere recordings of works for solo harp, Songs for the Earth, and Jewish Songs for Bassoon and harp and Concerto Judaica for Harp Bassoon and Strings.
Mixing Eastern and Western colours, Anna Segal composed the Songs for the Earth in a form of a Suite with nine different movements. Each movement presents a different traditional element from the Jewish culture. Contrasting tempi, polyrythmic lines between the two instruments and a touch of impressionism are the characteristic of this Suite. This work aims to remain, together with the love and jewish songs, close to traditional colours and harmonies of the Jewish music heritage. This highlight of this album where tradition and innovation come together is the Concerto Judaica for Harp, Bassoon and Strings. A rare concerto formation! In this work the composer finds a fresh harmonic language and mean of expression. Together with the soloiosts Anna Segal uses contemporary extended techniques for bassoon and harp to describe the traditional instruments as e.g. shofar for the bassoon. Small glissandi, tremoli flutter tonging on the bassoon and drums percussive effects on the harp to name some are used to bring the listener to the oriental color. Neither the works nor the movements are named after classical music terms, like Allegro or Andante, the music is named after songs, myths, stories,paintings, prayers and dances inspires by the composer.
