CD REVIEWS A-B


ATARAXIA "Concerto No. 6: A Baroque Plaisanterie"
(Apollyon/EFA)
Not too much later after their last release "Phantom Of The Opera", ATARAXIA strike back with a new album to prove once again their high standards and their never resting spirit, always on the search for profound forms of expression. ATARAXIA have combined here the above described spirit with the necessary complexity and music skill Baroque music requires. This deep study of the Baroque epoch is presented in two parts, of which the second one consists of live recorded material, bearing a brittle character and a deep melancholy and sometimes even the cerebral and gentle character of Baroque dances. Both the studio and the live sessions consist of quite incredible classical guitar picking and fantastic melodies which are accompanied by orchestral synthesizer parts, while Francesca Nicoli's vocals prove her to be one of the most expressive classical singers nowadays. Furthermore, this is the most demanding album of the band, as it exacts huge sensitivity and concentration by the listener. This is not only a deep and respectful research on a worthy part of music history, but it's furthermore a successful and rather fresh sounding album at the gates of the 21st century!
c/o Francesca Nicoli, CP 13, Ufficio PT MO succ. 5, Via Vignolese 546, I-41100 Modena, ITALY