Du temps & de l'instant

Savall family extravaganza

Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras are the two giants in the Catalan early music scene. On this album they enlist the help of percussionist Pedro Estevan and their two children to produce some truly exceptional music. Jordi Savall, the most famous family member, almost fades into the background, although he is obviously the rock that anchors the album. His playing is superb, and it seems as though it was most likely him who chose the excellent repertoire. Figueras, like wine, is only improving with age. Also like wine, however, she's a bit of an acquired taste; I am a huge fan of straight tone singing and even I took a while to get used to her bizarre, raw sound. It's worth it, however, as she is one of the most intriguing singers of this era.

Daughter Arianna is a world-class artist in her own right. Like her father, she is multi-talented; she sings, plays the harp, and composes (her contribution to this album, "La Salve," is beautiful and affecting, but some of the selections on her own solo album "Bella Terra" are far superior). Like her mother, her voice is haunting and beautiful, more polished than the elder woman but slightly less interesting. She sounds particularly lovely in the background of the first track. Ferran Savall also lends his voice to the album, although his singing is far less classical sounding, which may be a plus to some listeners. "Noumi, Noumi, Yaladatii," which Figueras has previously recorded as a solo, includes a vocalise from Ferran astonishing in its power, although his one solo on this album, "La Canco Del Lladre," is the least impressive track, as his voice can be irritating after a while and the song itself is repetitive and overlong.

The instrumental tracks are universally excellent. Jordi Savall is one of the world's best viola da gamba players and this album proves that he is still at the top of his game. Arianna's virtuosic harp solo is one of the album's highlights; her playing is less restrained and more visceral than most harpists. Pedro Estevan seems to have very little to do, but a little goes a long way with this music.

I sincerely hope that this will not be the last album to feature the Savall-Figueras family together. These five musicians have produced an album of surreal beauty, not to be missed. January 26, 2006

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