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Britten Sinfonia/Dhafer Youssef/Joanna MacGregor - 14/11/08 QEH, LJF

21/11/08
The diverse roster of this year's London Jazz Festival reflects the breadth of music being made as well as the vibrancy and vitality of the scene. It was therefore fitting to commence the week with an intriguing programme of works by the composers Avro Pärt and Béla Bartók interpreted by the versatile orchestral talents of Britten Sinfonia, percussionist Satoshi Takeishi and the Tunisian singer Dhafer Youssef.

Few would be able to combine such a disparate array of musicians, and it is testament to the experience and foresight of the Musical Director, Jonanna MacGregor, that this amalgamation melds beautifully. While her conducting was initially tempered by a slight awkwardness she soon relaxed and, once settled at the Steinway, continued to encourage the ensemble and ensure that a fine balance was maintained between the artists.

During the first half of the evening, the music progressed from Pärt's reticent 'Fratres' to an energetic rendition of 'Hora de la Bolintin' by the Romanian folk singer Gabi Luncă. Clearly many of the audience had especially come to hear Youssef, and he received a warm reception as he took to the stage. Throughout the performance the irrepressible Sufi singer betrayed a host of emotions, and as he tilted his head back, unleashed a vocal range to match. At times kneading the side of his nose with the side of his palm, he effortlessly shifted to an almost sub aqua register.

Following the interval, the warm tones of his oud perfectly complimented Peter Herbert's bass, whilst Takeishi sketched a wonderfully textured solo, his brush strokes slipping across the hall. Having reintroduced the Sinfonia to the stage, the music swelled towards a climatic rendition of Youssef's own composition, 'Odd Poetry', which saw him joined by MacGreggor leaping into the air in celebration of an innovative and daring collaboration.

Review – David Winks

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Last Updated ( 25/11/08 )

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