Customer Reviews

Los Impossibles [Includes Bonus DVD]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Christina Pluhar has small but loyal following in europe for good reason -her approaches to traditional, folk, and classic music are quirky fresh and entertaining. Too often performers get bogged down trying to be authentic, Pluhar's music is 'authentic' but not stale - her rendition of a sardnian folk song was some of the most 'alive' music i have heard in awhile. I happened to catch her on the bbc's classic music radio show, but a quick google search and you can find her site and samples of her music.

Not since Marais and Miranda in the '50s has there been as towering a musical genius at early and folk music arrangement and interpretation. This record has some of the most beautiful and moving, as well as some of the most exciting interpretations of traditional Spanish music this listener has ever heard. A must buy, as is the "La Tarantella" CD led again by the sensitive and irrepressible Christina Pluhar.

Why the group hasn't taken America by storm is beyond me. They will, they will!

You will be amazed by this recording.
Its the rather not well known link between american music history and european music history.
Pluhar has researched old archives that show how interesting the history of music can be. And also how well this music finds its way to our modern ears.
Unexpected sounds enter your ears and lift your music experience to a new level: the link between early music and our today musical practise. Find out how jazzy old music may have sounded and follow the traces of the conception of our today modern music.
The record is also very well recorded so you can have the full misical experience.

recommended: 5 stars!

kind regards,
Hans.

This album in NOT unavailable or out of print, it's just been released in a new version with four tracks of additional music. For reasons unknown, instead of featuring Christina Pluhar's photo, the cover now has a picture of the front end of a beetle. To find the new version, search for the album by name, and both versions will appear.

Here's my previous review, titled "A wonderful album from a wonderful ensemble!"

First, a few words about the ensemble, L'Arpeggiata, from their "myspace" page:

"Arpeggiata is a baroque music ensemble directed by the harpist and lute player Christina Pluhar [pictured on the cover]. Its members are today's finest instrumentalists and in addition they work with the most exceptional singers from the Baroque and the traditional music worlds.

"Arpeggiata's work and philosophy is based on improvisations on the music of the 17th century, a rich sound texture by blending all colours of various plucked instruments from the baroque period, a vocal interpretation influenced by traditional Italian music."

Stringed instruments plucked, strummed, bowed, and hammered, they're all there, and wind instruments sometimes appear, with great effect. Guest vocalists on this album are the famous King's Singers.

This beautiful album, recorded in 2006, is the best thing since L'Arpeggiata's previous album "All'Imrovviso," recorded two years earlier. Listen to the samples here. You'll learn more about the music that you would from any written description.

It's too bad there are no such samples for "All'Imrovviso." Buy both albums now, and you won't regret it!

The copy of Los Impossibles I just received from Amazon contained the CD, as well as a 32-minute DVD featuring extensive commentary by music director Christina Pluhar, and recording sessions for four tracks on the album: 1. Sã qui turo, with the King's Singers, and Doron Sherwin playing the cornetto; 7. Bastião, with the King's Singers; 2. Jácaras, with master flamenco guitarist Pepe Habichela, and over the closing credits 10. La Dia Spagnola. There are also two bonus tracks, with music and still photos.

Baroque harpist Christina Pluhar and her international musicians team up with the King's Singers to present a new approach to the early music of Portugal, Italy, Spain and Mexico. She manages to bridge the gap in time and space to show the strong connection between traditional Latin American music and its European predecessors and influences. Very enjoyable, especially if you happen to know some of the traditional Latin music and wonder where these Joropos, Chacareras, Paseos etc. come from...

I'm a fan of L'Arpeggiata, and I was very excited when I received the cd! It's so wonderful as expected!

unbelievable how pluhar manages again and again to make such beautiful music. Again a diamond