In Motion (2020)

The grandly named United Strings of Europe are one of several groups of youthful virtuosos that have cultivated sharp ensemble performances and issued innovative recordings. The In Motion title might lead listeners to think they would get the typical mix of high-energy performances of Baroque and Classical period music. However, under violinist-leader Julian Azkoul, the United Strings go further than their compatriots. The centerpiece is a performance of Luigi Boccherini's String Quintet No. 60 in C major, "La musica ... Read More

The grandly named United Strings of Europe are one of several groups of youthful virtuosos that have cultivated sharp ensemble performances and issued innovative recordings. The In Motion title might lead listeners to think they would get the typical mix of high-energy performances of Baroque and Classical period music. However, under violinist-leader Julian Azkoul, the United Strings go further than their compatriots. The centerpiece is a performance of Luigi Boccherini's String Quintet No. 60 in C major, "La musica notturna delle strade di Madrid," arranged for string orchestra. This fascinating work was left unpublished by Boccherini, who felt that those who lived outside Madrid would fail to catch his references to the local scene. Azkoul uses this fact as a justification for introducing into the score contemporary musical references, including some to the classical music of his native Lebanon as well as to blues and country music (really the terrific combination of the two known as Western swing).... Read Less