Makedonissimo – Simon Trpčeski & Friends

Simon Trpčeski – piano

Hidan Mamudov – clarinet, saxophone, kaval

Vladimir Krstev – violin

Alexander Somov – cello

Vlatko Nushev – percussion

In collaboration with the Tourist Organization of Budva

MAKEDONISSIMO means “very Macedonian”, and it is dedicated to the Macedonian people and culture. It is a project that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Macedonian music, in collaboration with the esteemed composer Pande Shahov. It blends folk music, jazz, and classical elements to create an entirely novel art — performed by a quintet that includes a piano, a violin, a cello, a clarinet, a saxophone and a kaval, and a whole set of percussion instruments.

MAKEDONISSIMO’, meaning ‘very Macedonian’, sees pianist Simon Trpčeski take a detour from Beethoven and Brahms to celebrate the music of his homeland.

Trpčeski takes listeners on a joyous tour through the incredible rhythms and haunting melodies of the Macedonian folk music tradition in which highly intricate, jazz-influenced riffs and harmonies are seamlessly interwoven. Inspired by Trpčeski’s passion for the folk traditions of his homeland Macedonian composer Pande Shahov (b. 1973) created a six movement cycle he called Pletenki (Plaits). In these new arrangements Shahov merges his own sound world – one which is influenced by impressionist attitudes to resonance and jazz harmony – with Macedonia’s traditional music.

This project had its world premiere in May 2017 at the Ludwigsburg Festival, Germany, and went on to wow audiences in the UK (London, Liverpool, Birmingham), Slovenia (Ljubljana), France (Lille), Poland (Warsaw, Szczecin, Gdansk, Katowice), the Netherlands (Amsterdam), Serbia (Belgrade), Montenegro (Bar), Romania (Cluj) and South Korea (Jeongseon, Wonju, Chuncheon).

Led by Trpčeski on piano the quintet of virtuosi musicians comprises Vladimir Krstev violin, Alexander Somov cello, Hidan Mamudov clarinet, saxophone, kaval and Vlatko Nushev percussion.

“The folk music of his native Macedonia is brimming with rhythmic vitality and modal beauty… MAKEDONISSIMO strikes a balance between tradition and originality. Whether given a haunting and poignant melody, a nostalgic, lyrical ballad, or a whirlwind of vigorous, celebratory dancing, the musicians bring strong feeling and unfettered joy to the music. I highly recommend this album to any music lover.”

AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

https://trpceski.com/makedonissimo