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Rodrigo Faina and Change Ensemble: Different Roots

By Hrayr Attarian
March 24, 2021
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Rodrigo Faina and Change Ensemble: Different Roots

The cohesive and captivating Different Roots is Rotterdam- based guitarist and composer Rodrigo Faina's cinematic debut for the Red Piano label. For this six-part suite, Faina draws inspiration from three literary works from his native Argentina, two by Julio Cortazar and one by Jorge Luis Borges. On this genre-defying release, Faina also conducts the Change Ensemble which consists of several accomplished European, primarily Dutch, musicians.

In fact, Faina utilizes the orchestra as a single unit at times and highlights the individual members at others, thus creating a dynamic and vibrant flow. For instance, "Deep, Dark and Blue" opens with languid and haunting woodwind refrains, floating over drummer

Marcos Baggiani

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcos Baggiani's crashing cymbals and restless beats. The solemn and moving melody is rich in mysticism, as pianist

Folkert Oosterbeek

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Folkert Oosterbeek's lullaby-like solo breaks to the surface with shimmering tones. A graceful return to the main theme ushers in the brighter conclusion.

Elsewhere, "At Night" starts off with vocalist

Fanny Alofs

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Fanny Alofs reciting, in English, Cortazar's "Speech of the Bear." After this sublime prelude the orchestra performs the equally magical composition, out of which emerges flugelhornist

Gerard Kleijn

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerard Kleijn's mesmerizing improvisation. Subtly dramatic, the tune progresses with a narrative tension, as individual brass, woodwind and strings emerge like waves out of the sea and fold back into it.

In contrast, the almost Baroque "If I'm To Live" has an expectant and sombre ambience with Alof's singing giving it a sacred, hymn-like quality. Saxophonist

Nils van Haften

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Nils van Haften extemporizes with understated passion, and lets loose serpentine lines which meander within the strings and percussion with agility and elegance.

The album closes with a bonus track, "Dreams," which Faina penned and the Metropole Orkest, with conductor

Jules Buckley

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Jules Buckley, interpret. The symphonic piece is peppered with eastern motifs and has a thrilling duel between strings and brass. Single instruments, such as guitar and bass, emerge with brief and poignant soliloquies and then seamlessly fade into the collective sound.

Faina has created a unique work with Different Roots, one which fuses together elements of both European and American (North and South) traditions. Jazzy spontaneity, western classical rigour and the wistful lyricism of Argentinian music make for a magical and a close-knit whole. This recording is an auspicious start to Faina's apparently brilliant career.

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Track Listing

Opening; Deep, Dark and Blue; At Night; A Room Full Of People; An Installment Of Time; If I'm To Live; Deep, Dark and Blue (alternate version); Dreams (bonus track).

Personnel

Rodrigo Faina

composer / conductor

Fanny Alofs

vocals

Nils van Haften

saxophone

Gerard Kleijn

trumpet

Guillermo Celano

guitar, electric

Marcos Baggiani

drums

Folkert Oosterbeek

piano

Jules Buckley

composer / conductor

Daniel Quiles Cascant

trombone

Dave Kutz

tuba

Victor Belmonte

trombone, bass

Erwin ter Bogt

trumpet

Marc Kaptijn

trumpet

Stefanie Liedtke

bassoon

Iman Spaargaren

saxophone, tenor

Kees Krabben

saxophone, alto

Paul van der Feen

saxophone

Lars Wouters

clarinet

Ilse Eijsink

clarinet, bass

Marieke Franssen

flute

Additional Instrumentation

Clemens van der Feen: double bass ; Jasper Le Clercq: violin; Nina Hitz: cello; Rodrigo Faina: electric guitar.

Album information

Title: Different Roots | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Red Piano Records

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