Fuga y misterio

Description

I was still a teenager when I met Radamés Gnattali for the first time. I remember with much emotion the “Velho Rada” as we used to call him. He was our idol because he was writing, already in the sixties, in the style that is called today “cross over”, mixing naturally and with great ease the Brazilian rhythms with jazz and classical style. We became great friends. Radamés loved to compose for his friends, that is how I often played with my brother Sérgio his concertos for two guitars , his Brasiliana nr 8 for two guitars and some other typically Brazilian compositions. I felt a lot of pleasure and nostalgia in recording with Edmond Carlier Radamés’ Sonata for cello and guitar. At a friend’s party in Paris, in 1983, Sérgio and I played a version for two guitars of Astor Piazzolla’s tango Escolaso in his presence. Astor was so happy that he promised us that he would compose for our duo — we never thought that he would really do it and so quickly ! And so was born the now famous Tango Suite, one of the most beautiful present s we have ever received.
Fernando Suarez Paz has been Astor Piazzolla’s partner during the ten years existence of the “Quinteto Piazzolla”, the tango Escualo is dedicated to him. My brother arranged it for two guitars and violin for this recording. Fernando’s passionate playing has always seduced me, and we the idea of recording L’histoire du tango appeared, I immediately thought of him, of his warn violin and of his unbelievable authenticity in playing Piazzolla’s music.
Edmond Carlier, first cello at the Orchestre de la Monnaie in Brussels, and André Navarra’s disciple, introduced me to Stepan Lucky’s Duo concertante … and gave me the desire to play it with him ! We have spent together unforgettable moments in this Czech composer universe.

Odair Assad