Dutch-Russian Maya Fridman is one of our country's most adventurous cellists. For Thunder Perfect Mind she joins the forces of top players from different directions.
Using echoes of Byzantine liturgical chants and an ancient spiritual text as anchors, a colorful musical tapestry unfolds. Traditional sounds of Greek Cypriot folk music, Persian music and Andalusian and Sephardic colors merge with new compositions and exciting improvisations by the ensemble into a true ritual.
In addition to Maya's connecting expressiveness, Kristia Michael, originally from Cyprus, lends an ethereal charge to the music with her expressive vocals. The Persian kamanche and live electronics of Soheil Shayesteh bring in refined melodies. The crossover skills of Valencia-based virtuoso string instrumentalist Efrén López are internationally renowned, adding depth to the colors of Greek and Ottoman traditions. The essential rhythmic heartbeat of group, reflecting the blending of cultures in the ancient world, is in the hands of Swiss Ruven Ruppik.
Performers
- Maya Fridman, cello/composer More about mayafridman.com
- Efrén López, multi-instrumentalist
- Kristia Michael, vocals More about kristiamichael.com
- Ruven Ruppik, percussion
- Soheil Shayesteh, composer/violin/kamancha More about soheilshayesteh.com
Cellist Maya Fridman is emphatically developing as an engaging creator and composer. Engaging in research and experimentation is an indispensable element in her working method. During an annual residency lab at Oranjewoud Festival , she investigates musical and philosophical sources in parallel with her doctoral research at Leiden University. In the process, she explores new sound and light technologies. Each research period concludes with a concert, installation or presentation as a work in progress.
A recording of this concert will be made by the Concertzender.
