Astrid Wauters (cello) and Emma Wauters (harp) have been making music together since childhood and have undergone tremendous development as a cello & harp duo. From beginners on their instruments, to conservatory studies, and now with Kalimat, their debut album. An evolution that resonates throughout the album Kalimat in a remarkable mix of repertoire. From works the sisters performed together at their first concert in their youth, to new projects where duo Aznèm (As & Em), for the cello and harp combination, have self-arranged musical works from all corners of the world.
What strikes you is the seemingly restrained playing of the sisters. The emotionally charged and melancholic repertoire truly shines because of it.
For instance in 'Prayer' by Ernest Bloch, where the vibrations of the harp bass combined with the moving cello playing gives you goosebumps.
Because the cello & harp combination isn't a natural pairing, duo Aznèm felt compelled to arrange works for their instrumentation. For example the title track 'Kalimat', loosely translated as 'Words'. It's an arrangement of an Arabic song with which soprano Majida El Roumi scored a massive hit in 1991. Duo Aznèm's arrangement is truly beautiful, with lovely clear melodic lines and deep bass tones alternating between the harp and cello.
Another remarkable work on the album is 'Moto trankil' by Belgian composer Karim Baggili. Originally a work for guitar, and in duo Aznèm's arrangement it sounds almost like a single instrument. The combination of cello and harp proves to be ideal for building emotional intensity, allowing listeners to feel the resonating bass of both instruments deeply in their hearts.
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 performed at the sisters' first concert in their youth and have remained part of their repertoire all these years.
All in all, a beautiful album in which Astrid and Emma demonstrate that they are also musically in tune with each other like twins. That the playing of duo Aznèm, the cello and harp combination, and their unique eye for interesting works demands more, is evident after listening to this album!
WHO: Duo Aznèm (Astrid Wauters [cello] and Emma Wauters [harp])
WHAT: Kalimat
LABEL: Etcetera | EAN: KTC1775
ORDER: JPC
