New from Ted Falcon, Memórias do Brasil.

An amazing recording has just been released, preparing us for a promising 2006 for mandolin music. Los Angeles string musician Ted Falcon has paid homage to a rich tradition of Choro past, yet injected his own personality and clever musical sensibilities with "Memórias do Brasil." Featuring the classic Brazilian compositions of such masters as Ernesto Nazereth, Waldir Azevedo, Nelson Aves, Pixinguinha, and of course the legendary Jacob do Bandolim, this 11 song CD is a refreshing tour of this luxuriant music of Brazil.

While the early Choro ensemble tradition is one of technically brilliant but unyieldingly precise execution, Falcon manages the obligatory level of impeccable playing while injecting a joyous buoyancy and striking degree of playfulness. He and his support cast of capable players take this fun seriously, trading roles of melodic prominence with finesse and a sense of reckless, yet calculated abandon.

Of particular note is Falcon's emotive performance of the work of one of Brazil's most engaging Bandolimist of the day, Hamilton de Holanda, in the interpretation of the composer's "Valsa em Si." This is truly the Brazilian aesthetic at its finest--intensely passionate, yet at the same time sophisticated and harmonically complex. Instrumental music like this, with the power to well tears sans the utility of lyrics is what makes the music of Brazil some of the most compelling in the world.

A lush, radiant rendition of Hermeto Pascoal's "Músisca das Nuvens e do Chão" (Music of the Clouds and Earth) with an intriguing 7/4 time signature twist rounds this consistent yet diverse compendium of great music, offering the listener a final reward. Throughout the recording, Falcon demonstrates his technical mastery of not only the bandolim and violin, but a through comprehension and capacity to communicate the latent power of the music's compositional merits within its incredible roots.

Ted Falcon is currently a member of the prestigious Los Angeles Choro Ensemble, and promises the potential to breathe fresh vigor and partake in a powerful force bringing new appreciation and awareness of Brazilian tradition and jazz.

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Selections:
Mistura e Manda
Assanhado
Memories of Home
Choro Novo
De Limoeiro a Mossoró
Brejeiro
Valsa em si
Carioquinha
Lamentos
Taiane
Música das Nuvens e do Chão