Released on a Lansing-based record label, each song on “The Entertainers” is masterfully done and shows off the precision talent of Russian natives cello player Viktor Uzur and violinist Andrej Kurti.
Uzur is working on his doctorate in music performance at MSU, while Kurti is working on a doctorate in violin performance from the University of Georgia.
Those who assume this record is a collection of classical music pieces are in for a big surprise. This isn’t the everyday music many expect to hear from a cello player and violinist.
Using only the two instruments, the duo covers music from a variety of bands, including Pink Floyd, (“Another Brick in the Wall,” “Goodbye Blue Sky,” “Run Like Hell” and “In The Flesh”), Led Zeppelin (“Kashmir”) and Scott Joplin (“The Entertainer”).
Each song is wonderfully constructed, but perhaps the biggest highlight is the duo’s interpretation of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. They hit every note nicely and give a completely new perspective to the classic rock song.
Even the vocal patterns are mimicked by the instruments.
A song that gave many artists fame, and was included in the major motion picture “Underwater!” (1955) starring Jane Russell, is a solid portrayal, although the recording quality could be a little better. Tiny scratches from a record player hinder its clarity, even if the rough version was done on purpose.
The album ends with a dramatic 10-minute interpretation of “Kashmir” and includes the signature layout of the original song, including the nifty conclusion. There’s even a chaotic solo in the middle with the two instruments, creating a cloudy and mesmerizing atmosphere.
Unlike many albums featuring artists covering established musicians, this effort is worth the money.
It’s fun to listen to these songs because they are played so accurately that they are easily recognized on first listen. Kurti and Uzur portray them in a new light, and it’s refreshing.
For more information on this record label, including purchase of this album, visit www.blue-griffin.com.
