Astrid Wauters (cello) and Emma Wauters (harp) have been making music together since childhood and have undergone enormous development as a cello & harp duo. From beginners on their instruments, studies at the conservatory, and now with Kalimat, their debut album. An evolution that resonates in the album Kalimat in a special mix of repertoire. From works that the sisters performed together in their youth during their first performance together, to new projects where duo Aznèm (As & Em), for the combination of cello and harp, have arranged musical works from all corners of the world themselves.
What stands out is the seemingly restrained playing of the sisters. The emotionally charged and melancholic repertoire comes fully into its own with this.
For example in 'Prayer' by Ernest Bloch, where the vibrations of the harp bass together with the compelling cello playing gives goosebumps.
The fact that the combination of cello & harp is not obvious led duo Aznèm to arrange works for their instrumentation. For example the title song 'Kalimat', freely translated as 'Words'. It is an arrangement of an Arabic song with which soprano Majida El Roumi scored a huge hit in 1991. The arrangement by duo Aznèm is truly beautiful, with nice clear melodic lines and deep bass alternating between harp and cello.
Another remarkable work on the album is 'Moto trankil' by Belgian composer Karim Baggili. Originally a work for guitar, and in the arrangement by duo Aznem it sounds almost like a single instrument. The combination of cello and harp proves to be excellent for bringing emotions high, and as a listener to feel the vibrating bass of both instruments deeply in the heart.
Two personal additions to the album are 'Promenade à l'automne' by Marcel Tournier, a work originally for cello and harp. And 'Valse Sentimentale' by Tchaikovsky. Both are works that were performed on the sisters' first performance together in their youth and have been part of their repertoire ever since.
All in all a beautiful album, in which Astrid and Emma show that musically, as twins, they are perfectly attuned to each other. That the playing of duo Aznèm, the combination of cello and harp and the unique eye for interesting works calls for more, is self-evident after listening to this album!
WHO: Duo Aznèm (Astrid Wauters [cello] and Emma Wauters [harp])
WHAT: Kalimat
LABEL: Etcetera | EAN: KTC1775
ORDER: JPC