10 Nov 2019

Latin beats and musical memories

From Pick and Mix

Pink Martini put a contemporary spin on classical pieces from Chopin and DebussyWhen the Von Trapps provide their vocals, musical magic happens.   

 

Cesária Évora - nicknamed the “Barefoot diva’ would have been 78 this year is she were still alive; the singer from Cape Verde was a prolific recording artist even though her career began at 47.

 

Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero take beats to a whole new level.  Rodrigo does the fast finger picking, while their distinctive percussion is done by Gabriela drumming on the guitar’s body. The pair are both heavy metal fans, but their music always comes out sounding Latin!

 

Czech violinist and singer Jitka Šuranská has died of cancer at the age of 41. Jitka trained as a classical violinist but made her name by playing and singing Moravian folk songs, spiced with contemporary loops. We celebrate Jitka’s life with some of her distinctive recordings.  

 

Brazilian bossa nova star Elis Regina is largely forgotten today but she was at the forefront performing music by Antonio Carlos Jobim in the 1960s and 70s.  We feature recordings from her 1974 album with Tom Jobim – Elis & Tom.  

 

In January 2019 Michel Legrand, one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century, passed away at the age of 86. Legrand trained as a classical pianist and composer and had a six decade career working with jazz legends and creating film scores, winning three Oscars. We hear him play piano and sing with fellow French artist Natalie Dessay on an album made when he was 80.  

Michel Legrand and Natalie Dessay

Michel Legrand and Natalie Dessay Photo: Simon Fowler

 

 

Music details:

Chopin, Zarzar: Mar Desconocido - Pink Martini (INERTIA 270069)
ANDRE/SCHWANDT: Dream a little dream - Pink Martini & The von Trapps (Heinz Records HNZ014)
Cabral, Morais: Sodade With Bonga - Cesaria Evora (BLUEBIRD 663984)
De Almeida Passos, Moreira: Negue - Cesaria Evora (BMG 411590)
Rodrigo Y Gabriela: Tamacun - Rodrigo Y Gabriela (Rubyworks 561414)
Rodrigo Y Gabriela: Diablo Rojo - Rodrigo Y Gabriela (Rubyworks 561414)
Trad: Bilvsti Pacholci - Jitka Šuranská (Hevhetia Records HV 00142131)
Trad: Zasnena - Jitka Šuranská / PaCoRa Trio (Hevhetia Records HV 00142131)
Trad: Polajka - Jitka Šuranská / PaCoRa Trio (Hevhetia Records HV 00142131)
DEBUSSY: Toccata, from Pour le Piano suite - Ivan Moravec (Philips 456 910)
JOBIM: Águas de Março - Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina (PHILIPS 824418)
JOBIM: Só Tinha de Ser Com Você - Antonio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina (PHILIPS 824418)
MARQUEZ: Conga del fuego nuevo - Simón Bolívar SO, Gustavo Dudamel (DG 479 0069)
LEGRAND: La valse des lilas - Michel Legrand & Natalie Dessay (Erato  9341482)