Quarterly Critic’s Choice
The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the Quarterly Critic’s Choice. Evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation, and sound quality. From 2014 onward, the Long Lists are stored directly with each Quarterly Critic’s Choice.
Traditional Ethnic Music
Joolaee Trio: Morgenwind
gwk Records GWK 164 (Klassik Center Kassel)
The Joolaee Trio is made up of a renowned concert pianist, a master of the Persian kamancheh and a virtuosic percussionist; together, they explore musical worlds between East and West on their debut CD »Morgenwind«. The silvery tone of the bowed instrument and the full sound of the grand piano create an exquisite balance of sound, enriched by delicate drum rhythms and shimmering cascades from the marimba. In addition to deft arrangements of Persian and Turkish melodies, the focus is on original compositions, inspired by baroque fugue technique and oriental scales. For the jury: Tom Daun