05, October
2018
Fragrances of love songs and orange blossoms...
AZAHAR ENSEMBLE - TURINA X TURINA
Fragrances of love songs and orange blossoms – azahares – introduce the Andalusian mood of the pieces arranged for woodwind quintet on this CD. After having established themselves as one of the leading European wind quintets by winning the ARD Competition in Munich, Azahar Ensemble now presents its first CD: “Turina x Turina”. With warmth and homogeneity of timbre, richness of expression, and relaxed virtuosity, the quintet seems to glide almost effortlessly through the marvelous music of Spanish composer Joaquín Turina. The excellent arrangements are provided by the latter’s grandson, José Luis Turina, one of the ensemble’s most ardent supporters. In this album brimming with light, freshness, and aromas of the South, the Azahar Ensemble pays a fervent musical tribute to the legendary Impressionist composer from Seville. Azahar Ensemble delights audiences with “great imagination and technical precision” (Süddeutsche Zeitung) that makes the quintet’s performances “bloom in sensual abundance” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung). Chamber music cannot be performed at a higher level, nor can you bring together a group of people with as much magic, personality and camaraderie as Azahar Ensemble. It is a true privilege to work with them and for them. (José Luis Turina Madrid, June 2018)