Nova Twinds

Ars Nova is back with a new cd which is different than their previous records. This new cd actually has a singer which plays one of the main roles along with the keyboards department. Ars Nova is still splendidly symphonic, however, this time things are a little different since there are vocals, violins and so on…

An attractive and intelligently annotated set, devoted to Fauré’s chamber music with piano; the sole drawback concerns generally astringent sound quality in these 1969/70 recordings. Pianist Jean Hubeau features in all but one of these performances. An uncommonly perceptive, adroit, and lucidly compelling artist, his readings of the large-scale piano quintets, Opp. 89 and 115, are superb. He is partnered by the Quatuor Via Nova, who contribute their own serenely idiomatic account of Fauré’s three-movement string quartet, Op. 121. Hubeau’s impressively understated pianism adds distinction to refined performances of the piano quartets, Opp. 15 and 45, and the particularly fine D minor Trio, Op. 120.

Vita Nova's one and only recording is a wonderful eclectic album full of high quality progressive tendencies and originality. The band was trio of Eddy Marron (vocals, bass and Turkish zaz), Sylvester Levay (keys, percussion) and Christian von Hoffmann (drums, percussion). Musically these guys were fantastic with some killer guitar, bass, keyboard and drum work. A great album and one of the true treasures of the 70's German underground. Originally this was released by "Life Records" but only 500 copies were made so this became a valuable collectors item. "Garden of Delights" re-released it in 1995 on CD with two bonus tracks.