4 seasons for 3 pianos
Antonio VivALdi
Matej Meštrović piano
Matija Dedić piano
Hakan Ali Toker piano
OVERVIEW
Navona Records proudly presents 4 SEASONS FOR 3 PIANOS, a whirlwind transcription of Vivaldi’s masterful string concertos by Croatian pianist and composer Matej Meštrović. Performing with Hakan A. Toker and Matija Dedić on three pianos (and accordion), Meštrović thoroughly reimagines the four concertos, his work exceeding that of a normal transcription. The collection, in such a radical new form, becomes almost a whole new work.
Despite this, Meštrović’s version of this piece is, ironically, historically informed in its own way. Vivaldi’s Venice was part of a republic that spread from the Italian city, across Dalmatia (present-day Croatia), to the borders of the Ottoman Empire in what is now Bosnia and Herzegovina. Just as this Venice of the past was a crossroads of cultural influences, so is Meštrović’s conception of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. He imbues his piece with flavors of the region, from Romani to Turkish culture. Meštrović even sends Vivaldi farther into the future, bringing The Four Seasons into contact with Mozart’s Turkish interests—Mozart’s famous Sonata No. 16 in C even appears in an unexpected detour. Throughout the re-imagined work, the three performers leave their own distinct touches. In the slow movement of Summer, Meštrović is front and center with a nostalgic waltz. Elsewhere, Toker improvises a whirlwind of virtuosic melody. Dedić transforms the slow movement of Winter into a jazzy meditation. Jazzy elements also surface in the transcription of the famous opening movement of Spring, transforming it into a wild, joyous romp through Vivaldi’s masterful music.
HIGHLIGHTS
Matej Meštrović is an eclectic and versatile composer, having written a large body of works ranging from chamber and orchestral concert music to music for television, theatre, and film. Meštrović’s albums include Zvuci Velebita, Eat Suite (which won a 2014 Independent Music award), and My Face Music Book (which won the 2016 Classical Album of the Year and Runner-Up Overall Album of the Year on SoloPiano.com).
Meštrović is one of the most prominent artists in his native Croatia, holding a City of Zagreb award. At age sixteen, he became the youngest composer ever to have a work performed at the Croatian Days Festival. For two consecutive years, he has presented a work for the opening ceremony of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, featuring orchestra, double choir, percussion ensemble, and over 200 dancers.
Meštrović is an active pianist. He was an early pioneer of Croatian New Age music, which involved a performance with harpist Georgia Kelly at the Zagreb Music Biennale. Recently, he performed in the opening ceremony of the European University Games in Zagreb. Meštrović also arranges piano parts on the pianist Maksim Mrvica’s albums, and is an active director of documentaries and travel films.
Hakan A. Toker is one of the world’s most prominent performers of Turkish music on the piano. He has performed in 27 countries, collaborating with groups as diverse as orchestras and jugglers. He has participated in jazz concerts, musical-comedy shows, and as instrumentalist in music for silent films. In 2013, he was given the “Our Living Treasures” award by the First Mersin Cultural Festival committee.
Jazz pianist Matija Dedić has performed internationally with names such as Alvin Queen and Antonio Sanchez. In July 2002, he performed at France’s Montreux Jazz Festival. With the album Octopussy, he received “Best Author” and “Best Jazz Newcomer” awards from the Croatian Composers Society.
ALSO ON NAVONA
Release Date: August 11, 2017
Catalog #: NV6114
TRACK LISTING
Antonio VivALdi & Matej Meštrović
Matej Meštrović Piano Matija Dedić Piano Hakan Ali Toker PIANO/ACCORDION
01 Spring ( La Primavera ) / Allegro
02 Spring ( La Prinavera ) / Largo e pianissimo sempre
03 Spring ( La Prinavera ) / Allegro
04 Summer ( L’ Estate ) / Allegro non molto - Allegro
05 Summer ( L’ Estate ) / Adagio - Presto - Adagio
Matej Meštrović solo piano
06 Summer ( L’ Estate ) / Presto
Hakan Ali Toker solo piano
07 Autumn ( L’Autunno ) / Allegro - Allegro assai
08 Autumn ( L’Autunno ) / Adagio molto
09 Autumn ( L’Autunno ) / Allegro
10 Winter ( L’Ineverno ) / Allegro non molto
11 Winter ( L’Ineverno ) / Largo
Matija Dedić solo piano
12 Winter ( L’Ineverno ) / Allegro
All movements arranged by Matej Meštrović, except
no. 06 - Summer ( L' Estate ) / Presto - Arranged and recorded solo by Hakan Ali Toker;
no. 11 Winter ( L'Ineverno ) / Largo - Arranged and recorded solo by Matija Dedić
CREDITS
Recorded February 2017 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb / Croatia
Recording Session Assistant Mario Mavrin
Recording Session Engineer Emir Alitć
Editing Matej Meštrović
Producer Matej Meštrović
Mixing Emir Altić
Mixed at Croatian Radiotelevision Studio 4, at Solid State Logic Duality SE
Piano Tuner Zlatko Pavlinić
Matej Meštrović plays Yamaha C7
Matija Dedić plays Bösendorfer Conservatory 200
Hakan Ali Toker plays Bösendorfer Standard 225, and Dallape Accordion
Special thanks
Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, Euro-Unit Croatia,
SBS Croatia and City of Zagreb Office for education, culture and sports
Artwork - Emily Roulo - synesthesia series
Executive Producer Bob Lord
Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Chris Robinson
Audio Director Jeff LeRoy
Engineering Manager Lucas Paquette
Design & Marketing Director Brett Picknell
Design Emily Roulo
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