Search - Tale Ognenovski :: Jazz, Macedonian Folk Dances and Classical Music

World-class Jazz Compositions & Traditional Macedonian Folk

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 04/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If the traditional music of the Balkans appeals to you and you like improvisational jazz ... this CD will blow you away. Music of the Balkans and Central Europe has been hidden too long ... The region has been a fertile soil for exciting, astonishing, experimental music which in modern times combines with traditional music that is creative, original and altogether very satisfying. Tale Ognenovski has over 45 years of experience creating music on the clarinet, the main instrument on which he demonstrates technical expertise and artistry. His musical innovations and improvisations shine on this magnificent CD proving great music has no borders or politics.The traditional Macedonian folk tunes and melodies, "Brusnichko Oro", "Nevenino Oro, "Bukovsko svadbarski oro", and "Talevo kasapsko oro" are my favorites because the minor scale and unusual rhythms allow for highly fluid and lyrical melodic interpretation. Tale Ognenovski is a master of interpretative clarinet sounds and inventor of exotic musical phrases. Great examples are, Tracks 1, 2 and 3 "Tale Ognenonvski Jazz Compositions No. 1, No. 5, & No. 8", all of which combine Macedonian music with Benny Goodman type jazz improvisational techniques. The labyrinthine musical phrases that flow from the the undisputed "King of Macedonian Clarinet" are magnificent, extravagant. He explores sound and music with twists and curves that leave the listener breathless. It is world-class music at its finest. He can play fast, exciting, speeding clarinet music or music that is spiritual meditative and soulful. Overall, this CD demonstrates that the mysterious music from the Balkans belongs on the world-stage ... for everyone to hear and enjoy. Erika Borsos (erikab93)"