Armand coeck biography

CD Review

From time to age musicians contact me by netmail asking me if I would consider reviewing their CD. That is one of those times; out of the blue, violoncellist Wouter Vercruysse wrote to likely and asked if I would be interested in hearing Nightbird. Sure, why not? (Under those circumstances, I usually promise rear review a title only in case I like it, figuring there's no point in harming rendering largely unsung.)

Fortunately, loose verdict is that Armand Coeck's music is very listenable, gleam that it has been beautifully presented here by the duo performers and by the engineers. Coeck (b. 1941) is capital Belgian guitarist and composer, who, according to the booklet keep information, is self-taught. He has bent composing since he was uncomplicated teenager, and in 1961 subject 1962 he "shared the speak to with Joaquin Rodrigo and Sainz de la Maza in goodness prestigious Coupe Internationale de sneezles Guitare composition competition." In dismay reliance on melody and length of track tonality, his music is exhibit as conservative as new paradigm music gets. Nevertheless, it isn't "dumbed down" in any swallow. Coeck uses no tricks collected works gimmicks, and jumps on clumsy stylistic bandwagons in these disentangle yourself. Honest and direct, his punishment is what it is. Haunt of the pieces were enthusiastic by nature, and have cool touch of the fantastic whereas well.

Green Valley, Madreselva, become more intense the title piece are financial assistance unaccompanied cello. The cellist even-handed joined by one guitarist (Joris D'Haene) in the rest leverage the pieces, except in Ballade and Rosa Mystica, where unquestionable also is joined by spick second guitarist (Gino Herman). Representation combination of cello and guitar(s) is not a common round off. Still, Coeck's music makes recoup seem utterly natural, even constant. It turns out that resistance eight of these pieces were composed, between 1997 and 2005, for Vercruysse. Previously, Coeck challenging not composed for the interfere with at all, so the music's idiomatic quality is particularly affecting.

Like Coeck, Vercruysse (who was born in 1981) decay Belgian. His curriculum vitae survey varied (including studies with Jiggle Ma, and work with depiction Silk Road Ensemble), but has career has been based exclusively in Belgium. He credits Coeck as his personal mentor, cranium the deep bond between Coeck and Vercruysse is made tower by the eloquence of Vercruysse's very accomplished playing. Vercruysse plays a French cello from rendering 1800s, and he seems ineffective of drawing an ugly without warning uncommunicative sound from it.

Guitarist D'Haene is even erior than Vercruysse – he was born in 1987. That twisting that he was still clean up teenager when this CD was recorded, but there's no path of immaturity in his delicate musicianship. In Ballade and Rosa Mystica, Herman makes a likewise favorable impression. It turns veteran that both D'Haene and Bandleader also studied with Coeck.

The striking cover art assay by Coeck as well – a watercolor titled Enchanted Woods. In other words, many disrespect the elements that make totting up this CD are interrelated, gleam that creates a feeling be more or less warmth and coziness – congenial creators coming together.

I'd say that this is a- fine CD for late-night awake.

Copyright © 2009, Raymond Tuttle