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"Aires de Sefarad" Albany Records, TROY829

THESE TWO BRILLIANT MUSICIANS ARE BREATHTAKING IN THEIR VIRTUOSIC COMMAND

   "Aires de Sefarad (2004) are 46 “Airs from (Sephardic) Spain” for violin and guitar taken from melodies sung in Ladino or Hebrew by Spanish Sephardic Jews in the 14^th Century.  These songs were taken from Isaac Levy’s collection Chants Judeo-Espagnols and arranged as violin and guitar duets by Spanish composer and Berkeley professor Jorge Liderman, who has been on quite a roll of excellence lately (see his wonderful two piano Wind-Up Toys, last issue).

   These little gems clock in at a minute or two a piece.  There is plenty of melodic variety in these atmospheric modal masterpieces, and Mr. Liderman rises to the considerable challenge by providing endlessly inspired accompaniments and orchestrations.  I was delighted every minute.  These two brilliant musicians, violinist Beth Ilana Schneider and guitarist Matt Gould, are breathtaking in their virtuosic command and sublime musicality.  If you enjoy sets like Falla’s Seven Spanish Folk Songs, you must hear these.  And even if that’s not your usual cup of chocolate, you should definitely hear these anyway.  A delight - highly recommended."

-Allen Gimbel, JULY/AUGUST 2006