Cecilia Quinteros: Narel

Argentinian cellist Cecilia Quinteros' oeuvre has encompassed the western classical idiom, jazz, improvised music and interdisciplinary projects with dancers. After several collaborative recordings Quinteros has released her first solo album, the award winning seven movement Narel. This is a mesmerizing suite that demonstrates Quinteros' brilliance as a composer and virtuosity as a performer.

The individual tracks exhibit Quinteros' various influences. For instance, the recording opens with the angular, overdubbed refrains of the first segment that create an eerie ambience, while the third segment is captivating and cinematic with an expectant drone that develops an electronically enhanced tense atmosphere. In contrast, on the next track, the cellist embraces dissonance by manipulating her instrument in novel and intriguing ways. The result is provocative and moving.

The melancholic "Narel 2" on the other hand is akin to a modern sonata with Quinteros switching between bowing and plucking the strings to haunting effect. It is easy to visualize the piece being played in a church or a similar hall with resonant acoustics. Chant-like "Narel 5" gives way to another wistful and mystical atmosphere with mournful overtones.

The finale is also the longest piece and synthesizes the record's theme perfectly. Starting off with a wave of repetitive motifs that set an ominous mood, Quniteros then flirts with atonality and adds sound effects for a dramatic tone. After a period of serenity conjuring pastoral nights or outer space wanderings, depending on one's mindset, reverberating pizzicato notes build a lyrical melody that is both contemporary and timeless. The tune concludes with the serenity of a lullaby.

A sublime opus, Narel is further testament to the uniqueness of the Qunteros' artistry. With it Quinteros has gone beyond labels to deliver a dynamic and stimulating work of art.