Montreal-based ethno-classical Duo Beija-Flor explores the Spanish and Portuguese influence on classical music with Costas, their vibrant debut for Big Round Records. Charles Hobson (guitar) and Marie-Noëlle Choquette (flute) deliver 22 tracks (1 hr, 08 min). Astor Piazzolla's only non-tango piece ('Escualo') is contrasted with traditional Spanish folk songs ('Siete Canciones Españolas') and motion picture soundtracks ('Summer Garden Suite'), it's not far-fetched to call this selection eclectic. All the more astounding, then, is Duo Beija-Flor's ability to tie this diverse program together, making it sound as if these pieces had always gone hand in hand...

Duo Beija-Flor's Costas: Works for Guitar and Flute works on so many levels, simply because the duo show that they can turn their hand to just about anything. There's conventional classical music mixed with experimental pieces; familiar intertwined with originality.

At times Charles Hobson (guitar) and Marie-Noëlle Choquette (flute) seem to be spontaneously riffing off one another. The performances feel fresh and ad-libbed rather than familiar piece that they've been practicing for an age.

Depending on your mood you'll constantly evolve which tracks are your favourite. Although, right from the first play through, 'Summer Garden Suite - 2. Summer Garden' was a standout highlight.

This is an engaging and vibrant album that is hard not to fall in love with.

Track listing:

MANUEL DE FALLA
SIETE CANCIONES POPULARES ESPAÑOLAS
01 - I. El paño moruno (2:22)
02 - II. Seguidilla murciana (1:10)
03 - III. Asturiana (3:01)
04 - IV. Jota (3:42)
05 - V. Nana (3:06)
06 - VI. Canción (1:43)
07 - VII. Polo (1:23)

SERGIO ASSAD
SUMMER GARDEN SUITE
08 - 1. Opening (1:59)
09 - 2. Summer Garden (2:32)
10 - 3. Farewell (3:56)

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
arr. DUO BEIJA-FLOR / V. VILLADANGOS
11 - Escualo 3:48

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
arr. DUO BEIJA-FLOR
12 - Oblivion (4:33)

NARCISO SAÚL
arr. DUO BEIJA-FLOR / V. VILLADANGOS
13 - Boulevard San Jorge (3:05)

RODDY ELLIAS
14 - Havana Street Parade (4:08)

CELSO MACHADO
15 - Pé de Moleque (2:48)

CELSO MACHADO
arr. DUO BEIJA-FLOR
16 - Quebra Queixo (2:45)

arr. DUO BEIJA-FLOR DOIS FADOS

17 - 1. Valeu a Pena (4:43)
original song: MONIZ PEREIRA
18 - 2. Lisboa é Sempre Lisboa (3:35)
original song: ARTUR JOAQUIM DE ALMEIDA RIBEIRO

SID ROBINOVITCH
FOUR SEPHARDIC SONGS

19 - I. La Rosa (4:16)
20 - II. El Rey (2:36)
21 - III. La Reina (5:14)
22 - IV. Alta, alta es la luna (1:47)

8

Darren Rea