trad.: El Noy de la Mare

When Eastern and Western musical cultures meet, an original blend is created. This CD features the Chinese flautist Chen Yue and the Danish guitarist Lars Hannibal. Coming from different traditions, the two artists decided to see what comes out of the dialogue when musicians from the two traditions play together. The idea was not to try to play like musicians from other parts of the world, but to listen and learn, and try to transfer, what the two musicians have experienced into their own lives and playing.

Chen Yue describes their meeting the following way: “A guitar and a bamboo flute was how we expressed ourselves to each other in music. Mr. Hannibal’s delicate, dynamic and experienced playing led me to the magic world where Western and Oriental cultures are wonderfully blended. When mystic plain Oriental music is mixed with a romantic Western classical style, what do you feel? This is our sincere love for beautiful music!”

Victoria de los Ángeles’ son Alex has Down's Syndrome and she used to sing many of the songs on this disc to him. The CD is a collaboration between the Victoria de los Ángeles Foundation and the Catalan Down Syndrome Foundation. The project includes the voices and paintings of children with Down Syndrome.

Noël Autour d’une guitar is distinguished by the originality of its instrumental colours and the novelty of Claude Gagnon’s arrangements. The selections rekindle the Christmas spirit in several ways, from the tender adoration of the new-born Child, to the rejoicing and exuberant gaiety of a popular feast. The program spans four centuries of music by composers as diverse as Vivaldi, Mel Torme and Corelli, and includes several beloved traditional carols. These arrangements for guitar, violin, cello and oboe are touching and nuanced, and their gentle character make a unique contribution to any collection.