EXOTIC STRINGS…Kayhan Kalhor/Erdal Erzincan: Kula Kulluk Yakisir Mi, Stefano Bollani, Hamilton de Holanda: O Que Sera.

Here are some string players from far away places, bringing traditional sounds melded with modern thoughts.

Middle Easterners Kayhan Kalhor and Erdal Erzincan perform on this album at a concert in Turkey back in 2011. Instruments like the kamancheh (a variation of viola) and baglama (a bouzouki that has been shrunk down a couple of sizes) are introduced on this collection of songs and improvisations. Most melodic is “Intertwining Melodies” which have the two artists producing music that begs you to form a circle and dance. Most of the improvisations get a bit too self indulgent,with long moment of strums where there need to be a bit more direction, yet “Alli Turnam” takes you on a journey like you’re walking down the narrow streets of a local souk. 

 
Pianist Stefano Bollani and guitarist Hamilton de Holanda are caught at a 2012 concert in Antwerp and mix passion and melody, with an alarmingly attractive interplay between the two. Delicate moments of “Beatriz” highlight romantic empathy, while frenetic fingerwork are on display on the rousing “Caprichos De Espanha.” A bit of a Neopolitan traffic jam occurs on “Il Barbone Di Siviglia,” but they dance like long lost friends on the title track. And if you’re looking for serenades, go no further than the lovely “Rosa.” I hope this wasn’t a one-off affair, as these guys play like compadres. Encore!!
 
ECM Records

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