New Focus Recordings releases Tanbou Kache, an album that celebrates Haiti’s rich art music traditions through cello and piano works by iconic 20th and 21st century Haitian composers...

Diana Golden (cello) and Shawn Chang (piano) play 16 pieces (1 hr, 06 min, 20 sec) by 20th and 21st century Haitians. For those thinking that Haitian composers work is likely to sound wildly different to more well known western composers... you're about to be taught an interesting lesson.

These pieces could just as easily have been penned by European or American composers. All of the pieces appear timeless - they could have been written this morning or a hundred years ago. But, they all have one thing in common. They all speak from the heart, dredging up raw emotions and really getting under your skin.

While this is obviously down to each individual composer's skill as an artist, a lot of the credit on these recordings has to go to Golden and Chang who really pour their heart, soul... and every conceivable emotion into their performances. It feels like the duo know these pieces inside out; have been playing them for many year. And yet their performances here feel fresh and inviting, as though these were pieces that they both come alive when playing.

This is a rich and rewarding collection of beautiful classical pieces.

Track listing:

01. Justin Élie – Légende créole transcribed for cello and piano [5:10]

Werner Jaegerhuber – Petite Suite for solo cello
02. I. [Prélude] [4:31]
03. II. Menuetto: Andante [3:30]
04. III. Allegro [3:39]
05. IV. Tema contrapunctistica [1:48]

Frantz Casséus [arr. Julio Racine] – Suite haïtienne for cello and piano
06. I. Petro [3:20]
07. II. Yanvalou [2:54]
08. III. Mascaron [5:08]
09. IV. Combite [2:14]

10. Carmen Brouard – Duo Sentimental for cello and piano [5:06]

Julio Racine – Sonate à Cynthia for cello and piano
11. I. Allegro Spirito [3:13]
12. II. Cantilena [4:07]
13. III. Allegro [3:19]

14. Daniel Bernard Roumain – Femiel from One Loss Plus transcribed for cello and piano [5:21]

15. Jean “Rudy” Perrault – Still Around for solo cello [5:22]

16. Jean “Rudy” Perrault – Brother Malcolm… for cello and piano [7:47]

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Darren Rea