Vassilis

Here Alexis Kossenko (flute) and Vassilis Varvaresos (piano) plunge us into the fantastic atmosphere of Northern Europe in the second half of the Nineteenth Century, when composers’ imaginations were fired by folktale and legend. The water spirit Ondine inspired Carl Reinecke, whose op. 167 provides the starting point for an allegorical programme inhabited by disturbing and fascinating creatures.

The three works on this recording are among the earliest compositions in the history of music to recognise the roles of the piano and cello as equally important. This provided a wonderful opportunity for a creative dialogue between the two instruments and for seeking out new methods of musical interaction.

"Achirana" marks the debut of a new trio, formed by ECM bassist of the first hour Arild Andersen and featuring, alongside veteran drummer John Marshall, Greek pianist Vassilis Tsabropoulos in his first recording for ECM. Likely to be hailed as a veritable 'discovery' in jazz circles, Tsabropoulos has long been recognised as an exceptionally gifted performer in other idioms. To quote Vladimir Ashkenazy, "Vassilis Tsabropoulos possesses rare talent". He has a reputation as a classical pianist, an interpreter of 19th and 20th century music, and as a conductor, and there is growing recognition for both his composing and his improvising.

The Franco-Greek pianist is the guest of Ballade musicale to present his new record V For Valse produced by the Aparté label. A graduate of the Juillard School in New York and Paris CNSMD, Vassilis Varvaresos, was invited to a recital at the White House by President Barack Obama.