On 17 January in Felix Meritis, Amsterdam, the members of the Ebony Band conducted by Werner Herbers played intense pieces by Konstanty Regamey (Quintet from 1942/44), Alexej Zhivotov (Frammenti opus 2 from 1928) and Gavriil Popov (Septet opus 2 from 1926/27).
Eastern Europeans, coming from a completely different musical tradition and culture and who are influenced by new Western art movements only from a distance, are the only ones who were able to let it fly in this way in one work: from subtle ethereal sounds to shameless sentimentality or vulgar circus music. For various reasons they did not keep to a basic, idealistic composing style. Freedom, adventure, and for as much as possible ‘being contemporary’, was their motto. The technical possibilities of the performers were also basically left out of account. The result: fierce works that make the highest demands upon the performers’ competence.
The performing artists are: Emily Beynon (flute), Jacques Meertens (clarinet), Bram van Sambeek (bassoon), Bert Langenkamp (trumpet), Marleen Asberg & Anna de Vey Mestdagh (violin), Roland Krämer (viola), Daniël Esser (cello), Mariëtta Feltkamp (double bass), Gerard Bouwhuis (piano)
Recording technique: Anton van Halderen
Production: Rolf Buijs
