United Strings of Europe – In Motion (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

United Strings of Europe – In Motion (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 50:22 minutes | 1,66 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © BIS

The streets of eighteenth-century Madrid; a contaminated test-bombing site in Australia and a song from El Salvador provide some of the subject matter for this album by the United Strings of Europe (USE). Formed in 2012 by students at London’s Royal Academy of Music, the ensemble brings together outstanding players from across Europe. Artistic director is the Anglo-Lebanese violinist Julian Azkoul, who leads from the violin, curates programmes and arranges music for the ensemble.

For “In Motion”, USE’s début recording, Azkoul has arranged Boccherini’s celebrated and atmospheric evocation of the La musica notturna delle strade di Madrid, in a version that updates the original’s flirt with popular music. Far removed both geographically and in mood is Maralinga, Australian composer Matthew Hindson’s powerful and haunting work featuring guest soloist Amalia Hall. The programme opens and closes with works for string quartet, composed some 180 years apart in Vienna and New Zealand respectively and heard in bespoke arrangements by Azkoul. Reflecting the ensemble’s distinctive voice and multi-national heritage and the wide-ranging interests and stylistic versatility of its members, “In Motion” is a roller-coaster ride of an album.

The streets of eighteenth-century Madrid; a contaminated test-bombing site in Australia and a song from El Salvador provide some of the subject matter for this album by the United Strings of Europe (USE). Formed in 2012 by students at Londons Royal Academy of Music, the ensemble brings together outstanding players from across Europe. Artistic director is the Anglo-Lebanese violinist Julian Azkoul, who leads from the violin, curates programmes and arranges music for the ensemble. For In Motion, USEs début recording, Azkoul has arranged Boccherinis celebrated and atmospheric evocation of the Nocturnal Music of the Streets of Madrid, in a version that updates the originals flirt with popular music. Far removed both geographically and in mood is Maralinga, Australian composer Matthew Hindsons powerful and haunting work featuring guest soloist Amalia Hall. The programme opens and closes with works for string quartet, composed some 180 years apart in Vienna and New Zealand respectively and heard in bespoke arrangements by Azkoul. Reflecting the ensembles distinctive voice and multi-national heritage and the wide-ranging interests and stylistic versatility of its members, In Motion is a roller-coaster ride of an album.

Tracklist:
1. United Strings of Europe – I. Allegro assai (Arr. J. Azkoul) (08:39)
2. Amalia Hall – Maralinga (Version for Violin & Orchestra) (13:35)
3. United Strings of Europe – I. Le campane de l’Ave Maria – II. Il tamburo dei soldati (00:57)
4. United Strings of Europe – III. Minuetto dei ciechi (01:06)
5. United Strings of Europe – IV. Il rosario (04:32)
6. United Strings of Europe – V. Passa calle – VI. Il tamburo (02:16)
7. United Strings of Europe – VII. La ritirata (02:14)
8. United Strings of Europe – Señores, les voy a contar (05:12)
9. United Strings of Europe – I. Mondo Rondo (04:37)
10. United Strings of Europe – II. Mumbo Jumbo (03:21)
11. United Strings of Europe – III. Mambo Rambo (03:48)

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