Eastern Approaches

Xenia Ensemble
Felmay
Classical | Jul 2002

Reviews

Jacki-O
Reviewed 2002-08-13
Xenia Ensemble: Eastern Approaches - Music from former Soviet Republics
Label: Felmay

Dramatic string quartet music featuring composers from former Soviet Republics. There is a distinctly Russian melodic style – a sort of cold & sad tone to a lot of the pieces here. Great classical music here. If you don’t want to play a long piece, play something from 2-4 (a 3-part suite).

1. Slow, ponderous, sparse for the first 5 minutes, then some nervous jumping string pluckings, returns to meandering flow alternating with occasional bursts. Dramatic flourishes about halfway; composition recalls Russian gloom-melodies; look for the gong tone @ 18:00 or so.
2. dark, sparse strings; some high pitched violin & an overall sadness/spookiness to it
3. dramatic flourishes & melodic cascades – quite a contrast from the first part (#2) – I couldn’t identify whether there was a vocal on this one.
4. pretty emotional string melodies – a mix of happy flourishes & nervousness with some sad/drama to it.
5. slow & melodic start – at around 5:00 into this piece are some incredible dramatic bursts of string playing – builds up, then goes back into softness. Around 13:00 there are some more dramatic flourishes. I couldn’t identify where magnetic tape was used in this piece.

Recent airplay

Chang Music 3
Music CasseroleMar 06, 2010
Mugan Sajahi
In Your EarSep 11, 2002
Chang Music 3 (3rd mvmt)
Memory SelectSep 06, 2002
Yanov-Yanovsky- Chang Music III pt 3 (track 4)
Come When I WhistleSep 02, 2002
Chang Music 3
Input/OutputAug 30, 2002

Charting

2002-08-26 — 2002-10-28 Classical/Experimental
Week EndingAirplays
Sep 15 1
Sep 8 2

Track listing

1. Mugam Sajahi
2. Chang Music Iii
3. Chang Music Iii
4. Chang Music Iii
5. Night Prayers