Azul, the Spanish word for ‘blue’, is the title of the
contemplative cello concerto by Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov
that forms the centrepiece of this celestially themed album. It is also a
word that is rich in cultural resonance, deriving from the Arabic and
Persian words for lapis lazuli, the lustrous semi-precious stone. The
related French and English words, ‘azur’ and ‘azure’ are synonymous with
the clear blue of sunny skies.
Golijov’s concerto received its premiere in 2006, with Yo-Yo Ma, the
most celebrated cellist of our time, as soloist. On that occasion he
performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, which commissioned the
work. On this album, Ma teams up with The Knights, the Brooklyn-based
group that describes itself as “an orchestral collective, flexible in
size and repertory, dedicated to transforming the concert experience.”
Ma’s relationship with The Knights’ co-Artistic Director, violinist
Colin Jacobsen, dates back to 2000 and the start of the ground-breaking
multicultural Silk Road Project. The Knights’ other co-Artistic Director
is Colin’s conductor/cellist brother, Eric Jacobsen, and the ensemble –
which released its first Warner Classics album, the ground beneath our feet,
in Spring 2015 – has been praised by Ma for its “vibrant, energetic,
collaborative culture” offering “a chamber music experience in
orchestral form.” (Warner Classics)
Dear friend, would you consider re-uploading this album? All links are dead. Kind regards!
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