Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Miroslav Tadic and Merima Kljuco: Aritmia

39

Miroslav Tadic and Merima Kljuco: Aritmia

By

Sign in to view read count
Miroslav Tadic and Merima Kljuco: Aritmia
The intimacy of a duo setting has had a special appeal for guitar virtuoso Miroslav Tadic. During his illustrious career, he has released several adventurous duet albums with luminaries including guitarists Vlatko Stefanovski, Dusan Bogdanovic, saxophonist Peter Epstein and the vocalists Teofilovic brothers. The album Aritmia is a gorgeous pairing with Bosnian accordionist Merima Kljuco that continues that proclivity. The pairing of an accordion and a guitar is a tough call but these two operate with an unusual charismatic delicacy and subtle force.

Tadic's spare, translucent guitar and Kljuco's subtle accordion complement each other exceptionally well, and their tight interactivity and melodicism often reminds of collaborations with much longer duration. The instruments mostly take different functions but Kljuco's accordion mostly functions as a discreet foil and the intimate conversations they are having swell from interesting to enthralling as they slowly unfold. Tadic's records characteristically mix classical and traditional folk music covering a wide range of traditions and geographies. The seamless, flowing selection contains classical and folk musics from the Balkan's region. The album starts with "Three Romanian Folk Dances" by classical composer Bela Bartok and Erik Satie's "Gnossiene 1" which was initially inspired by traditional Romanian music. Kljuco keeps the volume down and her accordion is more subdued as it gently takes shape in the background while Tadic's guitar interweaves between the melodies. These compositions are more like quiet conversations than contests. They both bring something more than sheer virtuosity. They are imbued with the freedom and flow of improvised music and the spontaneity of jazz including subtlety that is characteristic for chamber music.

The pace changes with "Ihtimanska kopanica," a Bulgarian reel. It's a short but an upbeat tune with its characteristically playful swirling melodies. "Kraj Potoka, bistre vode" is a gently melodic piece that is stated with sweet simplicity. It has a slight mournful feel with a questing melodic exploration. Tadic's playing adds a distinct edge to Kljuco's soft sounds.

"Pajdusko Oro" is a popular wedding dance in Macedonia and Tadic has already recorded this track on the duet album with Epstein Without Words (MA Recordings, 1992). This dance is usually played on an accordion and this duet's version features a wonderful interplay where the instruments chase each other. The duo also performs a lovely take on "Kales Bre Angjo" where the two play with such serene authority that the listener is almost afraid to take a breath until the 3-minute track is over. On all of the tracks the guitar and the accordion are so wonderfully blended that sometimes it is not really that obvious where one instrument begins and the other leaves. On Aritmia, Tadic and Kljuco make a quiet world full of rich sonorities. It is an evocative venture between skilled musicians and the result is this quietly compelling and deeply felt music.

Track Listing

Buciumeana; Brâul; Topogó; Gnossienne No.1 (E. Satie); Nana (M. de Falla); Vranjanski čoček (trad.); Gde si dušo, gde si rano (D. Jenko); Ihtimanska kopanica (trad.); Kraj potoka, bistre vode; Pajduško oro; Kafu mi draga ispeci (O. Pjevović); Hajd' sad majka (M. Ključo); Kaleš bre, Andjo (trad.).

Personnel

Merima Ključo: concert accordion; Miroslav Tadić: guitar

Album information

Title: Aritmia | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near Los Angeles
Jazz Near Los Angeles
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris
Candid
Sunny Five
Inside Colours Live
Julie Sassoon

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.