The Balkan Piano, Volume One
The composing traditions of the ten Balkan countries are as good as unknown in the rest of the world. In this revelatory piano recital, the Albanian pianist Amir Xhakoviq presents a glittering array of keyboard jewels from his own country and its neighbours, ranging from wild and energetic toccatas to timeless evocations of bells and other ancient traditions, with a surprisingly wide range of references, from folk-music to Scarlatti and jazz. As ‘Volume One’ indicates, this album is intended as the first of a series that will continue to explore the unfamiliar music of the Balkans.
Amir Xhakoviq, piano
Sanja Drakulić (b. 1963)
- Drive (2006) (5:24)
Pancho Vladigerov (1899-1978)
Épisodes, Op. 36 (1941)
- No. 4, Improvisation* (6:29)
Tomislav Zografski (1934-2000)
Suite for Piano in A major, Op. 27 (1960)* (5:25)
- I. Sinfonia (0:41)
- II. Intermezzo (0:55)
- III. Passaggio (2:04)
- IV. Romanza (1:01)
- V. Finale (0:44)
Rafet Rudi (b. 1949)
- Preludium – Les cloches Arbëresh (1993) (6:44)
Vojin Komadina (1933-1997)
Two Minuets (1985)
- No. 1, Andante con moto (2:06)
- No. 2, Andante moderato
Dušan Bavdek (b. 1971)
- Awakening (2010) (6:22)
Aleksandër Peçi (b. 1951)
- Barokjare (2013) (5:32)
Aleksandar Perunović (b. 1978)
- Metaglasswork (2014) (6:39)
Milan Mihajlović (b. 1945)
Three Preludes (1986-1989)* (7:53)
- No. 1, Andante sostenuto – Allegro moderato (2:27)
- No. 2, Non lento (2:00)
- No. 3, Allegro (3:26)
John Psathas (b. 1966)
- Jettatura (1999)* (4:28)
All Except * First Recordings
MusicWeb International :
‘Toccata Classics does it again. […] It is wonderful to hear such music now, and what is on this disc is much more than purely interesting.
Pianist Amir Xhakoviq designed the programme, and penned the most informative booklet notes, acknowledge here with thanks. To launch it, there is a firecracker of a piece, a real adrenalin rush. Croatian Sanja Drakuli’s Drive fairly leaps out of the speakers. It grabs you by the ears and speeds along in an exciting version of John Adams’s Short ride in a fast machine. […]
To launch it, there is a firecracker of a piece, a real adrenalin rush. Croatian Sanja Drakuli’s Drive fairly leaps out of the speakers. It grabs you by the ears and speeds along in an exciting version of John Adams’s Short ride in a fast machine.’
—Steve Arloff, MusicWeb International
ExLibris :
‘Me dëshirën e përdorimit të të gjitha mjeteve të komunikimit, pianisti Amir Xhakoviq paraqitet para artëdashësve e në veçanti para admiruesve të artit pianistik edhe me këtë CD. […]
Në përfundim dua të them se kujdesi për ta bërë të mundur realizimin me sukses të albumit THE BALKAN PIANO Volumi One, e ka vënë Amirin në kërkim për të gjetur kushtet e duhura duke bërë të mundur regjistrimin në Sallen e Koncerteve në Shtëpinë Svetosavski në Nish të Serbisë me daten 05 mars 2024, duke luajtur në instrumentin e markës C. BACHSTEIN D 282 Concert Grand, si dhe duke siguruar bashkëpunimin me agjensinë prestigjioze TOCCATA CLASSICS.
Me prezantimin e këtij albumi, pianisti Amir Xhakoviq i ka bërë një shërbim artit muzikorë, kulturës tonë dhe rajonit të Ballkanit.’
—Shkodër, ExLibris
WTJU :
‘Amir Xhakovig delivers each work on its own terms. His performances highlight the differences — and the commonalities — between these pieces. Each country is represented by a single composer. […]
This is a series worth exploring. […] I’m grateful for the introductions. This is fine music, indeed.’
—Ralph Graves, WTJU
Fanfare :
‘Albanian pianist Amir Xhakoviq, who also wrote the helpful and engaging program notes, has put together a diverse collection of works reflective of the dance rhythms and folk music of the region but also including pieces that avoid folk influence. The result is engaging […].
[Épisodes, Op. 36] requires virtuoso technique, which is demonstrated by Xhakoviq in a lively performance. […]
[Drive] is exciting […].
Komadina’s two Minuets are charming, light fare inspired by French Baroque dances. […]
[Barokjare] is dignified, attractive music. […]
[Three Preludes] are hauntingly beautiful pieces that explore a wide range of keyboard colors. […]
Jettatura is a brilliant moto perpetuo [which] brilliant virtuoso work for piano it brings the disc to a rousing conclusion. […]
I was glad to make the acquaintance of much of the music recorded here, and I will be returning to it again. There were enough enjoyable pieces to warrant a recommendation. It is difficult to assess performances of music that one has never heard before, but clearly Xhakoviq has the technique to meet any challenge thrown at him, and he shows the spirit of adventure in seeking out so much unknown music. […]. But Xhakoviq deserves well-earned praise, and his program notes are very helpful. Toccata’s recorded sound is excellent.’
—Henry Fogel, Fanfare