In this wonderful exclusive for Plushmusic, three of Greece's strongest instrumentalists come together to create an evening of pure magic. The concert was recorded during the 2009 Music Village Festival on the mountain of Pilion. Outside of the village school a small stage is set up each year to host some of the Balkan's finest musicians in an intimate setting. As well as leading a master classes the musicians perform each evening, often in new formations. Such was the case here as these three musicians came together spontaneously to enchant the village.
Haig Yazdijan has risen to become one of the world's prominent Oud players with a string of highly acclaimed solo releases in his name. Born in Syria to Armenian parents his path brought him many years later to Greece having assimilated the music of several cultures. His music fuses Armenian, Arabian, and Greek influences into a delicate and masterful blend. World-music in it's truest sense.
Nikos Paraoulakis comes from Crete and is recognized as one of the top Greek Ney players. Like Kostas he has worked on expanding the repertoire of his instrument and is a masterful improviser as one can hear on this concert.
Kostas Anastasiades rose to fame as a fusion drummer and it is only a few years ago that he taught himself Tabla with the help of some Youtube clips. He rapidly mastered the instrument and applied his knowledge of rhythmic superimposition as well as Greek traditions, creating a new language for the instrument.
The pieces in the concert are a mixture of Haig's original compositions and traditional songs from Armenia. In each of the songs Haig gives the musicians plenty of space for improvisation and we are also treated to his beautiful vocals which blend effortlessly with his Oud.
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