Alma

Soprano Francesca Aspromonte and violinist Boris Begelman present an all-Handel programme exploring the vicissitudes of love, together with Arsenale Sonoro. On Un’alma innamorata, Aspromonte urges us to take ownership of our amorous infatuations, rather than blaming it on Cupid’s arrows. The programme consists of several worldly cantatas with violino concertante – including the famous Mi palpita il cor and a world premiere recording of S’un dì m’appaga la mia crudele – interspersed with instrumental sonatas. The overall chamber-musical approach of Un’alma innamorata increases the emotional impact of the tragic heroines depicted by Aspromonte.

The Alma Afrobeat Ensemble (AAbE) was germinated in New Orleans in 2003, grew in Chicago under the influence of the music of Fela Kuti, encompassing the multicultural influences from the founder and mystical wizard of funk, jazz and high-life music. The band became its own self in its last years in Chicago/ Champaign-Urbana, and has now matured in Barcelona during the last four years. The recent history of the band is that its founder, leader and main composer, Aaron Feder, had the idea to combine his band from Chicago with musicians in Europe from all over the world, (South America, Africa, and Europe) under the flag of Afrobeat music, and the principles of social justice through that music.

Mostly written in her youth, Alma Mahler’s Lieder are rarely performed, yet each one is a musical gem that forms an important part of the Romantic song repertoire. This album is the first recording that includes all 17 of her songs. Like her personality, Alma’s songs are mysterious, complex and profound and take the listener on a kaleidoscopic voyage where different layers in text and music can simultaneously express blistering religious sentiments, overwhelming eroticism and profound tenderness. With a rich and velvety sound Elise Caluwaerts reveals the full depths of this music: refined details are portrayed with appealing intimacy, exuberant, roller coaster-like chromatic lines are savoured, and text is interpreted with mouth-watering expertise. She is joined on this symbiotic journey by star pianist Marianna Shirinyan who performs on a Steinway from 1899 that exactly mirrors the colourful and warm piano sound that Alma had in mind when composing these beautiful songs.