With the AMBAR Music Group’s upcoming concert at Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Concert Hall scheduled for Saturday, December 1 (day after tomorrow), I rather doubt that most of you would be able to grab a plane ticket and wing your way to Russia in time for it. But Delos can offer you the next best thing to a live performance from this remarkable four-man Hispanic music ensemble: El Diablo Suelto (DE 4031): AMBAR’s fabulous debut CD for Delos, released in 2010 (the album title translates as “Devil on the Loose”).
AMBAR has appeared often in Russia before – and for good reason: their lead violinist, Sasha Rozhdestvensky, is a world-renowned Russian concert artist; the son of legendary conductor Gennadi Rozhdestvensky. Sasha has made another acclaimed recording for Delos: Tchaikovsky’s complete works for violin and piano, with pianist Josiane Marfurt (DE 3413). But Sasha has always had a not-so-secret weakness for Hispanic music, inspiring him to join forces in 2000 with three outstanding musicians from Colombia: Francisco Gonzales (guitar, voice), Nelson Gomez (guitarron) and Juan Fernando Garcia (percussion, flute). Together, they make Latino-style magic, specializing in the music of Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil … with all its characteristic sensual languor, lively dance rhythms and hot-blooded passion.
So watch the video below, and look for the Spotify player to sample AMBAR’s winning style and sound for yourselves; I guarantee that their infinitely appealing and infectious music will pluck at your heartstrings, and get your fingers snapping and toes tapping. While on the subject of plucked heartstrings, check out Sasha’s searing Tchaikovsky album, too!
Fair Warning: While listening to a track or two of AMBAR’s marvelous music may fall short of inspiring you to high-tail it to Moscow in time for their Saturday concert, it is highly likely (especially if you’re a fan of Hispanic culture) to compel you helplessly to make your next CD purchase (or iTunes download) – something you can do right HERE and NOW. And it’ll make the perfect gift for that Latino music buff on your holiday shopping list!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9lYYWA7mhM]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWtyhJAtSws]
AMBAR: El Diablo Suelto
Tchaikovsky: Complete Works for Violin and Piano
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