Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Album review: L'Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar, Mediterraneo (Virgin Classics)

 

Andy Gill
Friday 08 March 2013 20:00 GMT
Comments
 L'Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar, Mediterraneo (Virgin Classics)
L'Arpeggiata, Christina Pluhar, Mediterraneo (Virgin Classics)

Mediterraneo is a fascinating project designed to embody the notion that “the sea does not separate cultures, it connects them”.

Combining the early-music instruments of L'Arpeggiata with singers from the Mediterranean “olive frontier”, it takes as its starting point the songs historically sung by the Greek inhabitants of Salento in southern Italy, tracking their influence as it spreads out around the region.

The intriguing baroque textures of harp, theorbo and harpsichord find their equivalent in the rich harmonies that characterise the vocals of songs such as the canto Greco-Salentino “Are Mou Rindineddha”. Entertaining and educational, it should appeal equally to early-music buffs and world-music fans.

Download: Are Mou Rindineddha; Hasapiko; Hicâz mandira; Amygdalaki Tsakisa

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in