If Eastern art music has a folk heart, its arteries are Roma and Klezmer sounds. From the orientalist imagination of Glazunov, the Jewish adoption of Prokofiev, the Uzbek inspiration of Khachaturian, to the Romani-Hungarian roots of Kokai and the Balkanism of Jan van der Roost: all composers on this disc build on the same toolbox of themes and techniques, and they all rely on the clarinet as the ultimate interpreter of this lore. Acknowledged and exquisitely performed by the Roeland Hendrikx Ensemble
Zayt Gezunterheyt. The folk soul of the Eastern clarinet
DE STANDAARD - 04/02/2024 - ****
Ja, de repetitieve, chromatische, melismatische melodielijnen die u met de Oost-Europese volksmuziek associeert, tieren welig op dit nieuwe album van het Roeland Hendrikx Ensemble. Al in de openingsmaten van Aleksandr Glazoenovs ‘Rêverie orientale’ is duidelijk in welke muzikale streken we ons situeren. Maar dit is geen klezmer-, polka- of sevdalinka-plaat. De klarinettist en zijn gezelschap voelen prima aan op welk snijvlak tussen compositie en traditie ze navigeren. Hun fusie klinkt oprecht en bijzonder geslaagd. Het zijn vooral de zachte tonen die opvallen in deze blik oostwaarts: de dragende warmte van cellist Sébastien Walnier, de ronde tonen van Hendrikx’ houtblazer, de weemoedige touches van Liebrecht Vanbeckevoort … Dat wil niet zeggen dat het nooit eens mag wringen, dat de overige strijkers Dupont, Tiercet en Geerts niet af en toe met vinnige boogstreken uithalen. Maar zelfs in de meest dissonante passages blaakt deze muziek van de harmonie. (jc)
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE 19/03/2024 - Steve Wright (SW)
Klezmer and gypsy melodies are the wellsprings from which the music on this delightful disc pours forth - from Glazuno’s sinuous, sensuous Rêverie Orientale via Jan van der Roost’s distinctly Balkan Euterpe to Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Thems. The players of the Roeland Hendrikx Ensemble (violins, cello, viola, piano, clarinet) are in sensitive, nimble and idiomatic form. (SW) ****
MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL 28/02/24 – Paul RW Jackson
Sometimes a disc comes along which is a complete shock in terms of the quality of the music and performances. This is just such a disc. I am not sure why I asked to review it, but I am glad I did, as it has left me stunned.
The disc showcases composers whose works all demonstrate a fusion of Eastern and Western musical elements. The unifying musical material is that of Roma and Klezmer folk traditions; the unifying instrument the clarinet, which of course figures large in both of those traditions.
... The most famous work here is undoubtedly Prokofiev’s Overture on Hebrew Themes for the inspired combination of clarinet, piano and string quartet. Written in 1919 for the clarinettist Simeon Bellison, it is based on Jewish melodies Bellison gave to the composer. Or were they? Recent research by musicologist David Nice (2003) has questioned whether they were real folk melodies or composed by Bellison in a folk style. In any event, they sound authentic, and Prokofiev skilfully weaves a satisfying sound-world of lively and pensive moments. Prokofiev played the piano at the premiere in 1920 but was rather dismissive of the work, feeling that its four-square nature was boring. He was, of course, wrong. In the hands of these performers it is a polished gem. The spiky opening melody is beautifully phrased with carefully observed dynamics. Mr Hendrikx manages some wonderful pianissimo high notes that blend perfectly with the string tone. ...
... The disc is presented in a beautifully designed and very tactile cardboard triptych fold-out format. The images show a happy bunch of musicians striding though what looks like Amsterdam Centraal Station – and why wouldn’t they look happy? This disc is a triumph.
MUSIQ3 - LE CHOIX MUSICAL DE MUSIQ3 - PIERRE SOLOT
... Le disque est plus largement réjouissant, mené par de souples musiciens en verve qui parviennent à faire cohabiter la suggestive effervescence de ces musiques avec le chant puissant qu’elles charrient depuis des siècles. L’impression est celle de la musique de chambre dans ce qu’elle a d’idéal : une petite bande de musiciens qui se retrouvent, se réjouissent d’une matière musicale qu’ils explorent, qu’ils questionnent et finissent par livrer dans un lâcher-prise virtuose qui ne peut qu’atteindre son objectif : l’émotion et la sensation musicale d’un instant de liberté à travers d’autres mondes.
FANFARE MAGAZINE - ISSUE 47:6 (JULY/AUG 2024)
... The Roeland Hendrikx Ensemble, six members strong, is led by the eponymous Belgian clarinetist Roeland Hendrikx. Precise, tonally rich playing is a hallmark of the band, along with relaxed, expressive pacing. This recording offers a fascinating tour of a musical geography that is at once exotic and familiar. Peter Burwasser
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE – 22/04/24
... The concert is beautifully played. Hendrikx leads with a smooth tone, excellent technique, and graceful phrasing; and his colleagues complement him with also proficient and expressive performances. Some gestures tend to be conservative, particularly in the outer movements of the Khachaturian; yet the Kokai has a good vibe, and the new Van der Roost piece has vitality and a synergy that invites another hearing. Overall, this is a superb addition to any record collection. HANUDEL
