Karaindrou, Gurdjieff

Trojan Women

Eleni Karaindrou

Ulysses’ Gaze

Eleni Karaindrou

Chants Hymns & Dances

Gurdjieff, Tsabropoulos

These are a few pieces of music that I’ve been enjoying a lot lately. All three exhibit Eastern influences that sound a bit exotic - to my ears at least.

Kariandrou’s music is shadowy and spare, building slowly, exploring different arrangements of the same themes. A gently working accordian gives Ulysses’ Gaze an atmosphere of European folk music that is both contemplative and somber. Coupled with the shadings from the cello and viola, it can leave the feeling of meandering through an empty village. Her interpretation of Euripides’ Trojan Women captures their pain and lamentations in a collection of short, reflective almost ghostly pieces with an interplay between ancient instruments and voice.

Gurdjieff’s spiritualism is captured by Tsabropoulos and Lechner with graceful cello and piano arrangements. The liner notes credit sufi influences which are certainly there but not overwhelming. Two short interludes bracket a modern work by Tsabropoulos himself which brightens the overall mood.