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After a decade of shared work in the Tarkovsky Quartet and an ongoing alliance in the Pergolesi Project, German cellist Anja Lechner and French pianist Francois Couturier unveil their new duo. The players approach the music from different vantage points: Lechner is a classical soloist with an uncommon interest in improvisation, Couturier a jazz musician travelling ever further from jazz. On ‘Moderato cantabile’ they present their own arrangements of works by three fascinating outsiders from the margins of music history – G.I. Gurdjieff, Komitas and Federico Mompou.

To differing degrees their music reveals influences from the east, both in terms of relationship to folk traditions and religious music, and philosophically. A contemplative air pervades the session. The programme has connections to Anja Lechner’s acclaimed account of Gurdjieff’s music on the earlier Chants, Hymns and Dances (9819613, with Vassilis Tsabropoulos), but the new duo has its own identity, and time spent in Armenia has deepened Lechner’s understanding of the contexts from which the music emerged: her cello assumes almost a singer’s role in these pieces, exploring the strong melodies.

Franois Couturier’s compositions function as both contrasting and complementary elements. As a player, Franois has a long history of working with Mompou’s music. He has been influenced, furthermore, by his association with Anouar Brahem, and the sonorities of the Middle East are part of his palette. ‘Moderato cantabile’, a striking and unusual album, was recorded in the rich acoustics of the Lugano studio in November 2013 and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Personnel: Anja Lechner (cello), Franois Couturier (piano)

George I. Gurdjieff: Sayyid chant and dance No. 3 / Hymn No.7

Franois Couturier: Voyage

Komitas Vardapet: Chinar es

Federico Mompou: Cancin y danza VI

Federico Mompou: Musica callada XXVIIIV / Impresiones intimas I

Franois Couturier: Soleil rouge

Franois Couturier: Papillons

George I. Gurdjieff / Federico Mompou: Hymn No. 8 / Night procession

George I. Gurdjieff: No.11 / Ftes lointaines No. 3

Federico Mompou: Impresiones intimas VIII ‘Secreto’