V / A Strings nad Oslavou: Strings nad Oslavou - CD

First it was Three Voices, then hurdy-gurdies, and last year in Náměšť nad Oslavou, strings began to ring out and chime in a unique residency project. It wasn't the first time this had happened at the Folk Holidays festival—folk and strings have always belonged together—but this was a premiere of sorts, as it was the first time such distinctive personalities had played together. Seckou Keita with his African kora, guitarist Antonio Forcione, Germán López with his tiny timple guitar, Antonio Toledo on guitar, mandolinist Martin Krajíček, Slovak double bassist Juraj Valenčík, and violinist Juraj Stieranka gave a fantastic concert that will never be repeated. The famous Seckou Keita, with his majestic kora, naturally drew the most attention, but the other musicians were far from just making up the numbers, and when they all let loose together, it sounded wonderful.

The collective playing and improvisation never hit a dead end; there was always a leader to step forward, pushing towards the next peak. People go to music festivals primarily for such unrepeatable moments, and thanks to this recording, we can return to this one. The project was curated by violinist Jitka Šuranská, who also sings the song 'Zelený víneček' (Green Wreath) on the CD. Spain, Italy, Senegal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany—this is world music in the truest sense of the word.

Tracklist

Sorondongo Influenciado / Waltz for Django / Nová / Woulou-Wo / Keneh / Zelený víneček