Mnemosyne (It's autumn in the country I remember...)

A tango-influenced setting of a hundred year-old poem by Trumbull Stickney, "Mnemosyne" is the title track of our new CD, recorded by Ljova and the Kontraband (music by Ljova, sung by Inna). Mnemosyne is the Greek goddess of memory, and this is a song of nostalgy and of memories that turn color like autumn leaves yearning for rebirth with a vibrant song in the spring.... We've long been looking forward to sharing this song with you all.

Music: Lev 'Ljova' Zhurbin
Lyrics: Trumbull Stickney (1874-1904)

Performed by:
Ljova and the Kontraband
Ljova (viola)
Inna Barmash (vocals)
Patrick Farrell (accordion)
Mike Savino (bass)
Mathias Kunzli (percussion)
Frank London (trumpet)

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by barmaljova (6 comments total)

Wow - that was really nice.
All that Piazolla-like tangoesque melancholia, the muted trumpet
and the voice sounding as if enormous powers were being held in check.
Quite delicious.
posted by jan murray at 8:58 AM on October 12, 2008

I playlisted this earlier so I could listen to it because I knew it would be great. No disappointments when I finally got the chance to listen. Wonderful stuff.
posted by sleepy pete at 6:01 PM on October 13, 2008

Hot damn. This is great.
posted by cortex at 4:29 PM on October 14, 2008

Haven't had much time to comment in the past two days, but I first heard it when you posted it and I loved it. Inevitably, I surrendered. The percussion is deliciously subtle and adequate. The bandoneon (accordion??) is perfect, the bass is beautifully recorded. The trumpet, which is a nice surprise that complements the rest of the instrumentation.

I haven't mentioned the viola, I know, but I think I started with the wrong foot, pointing out the individual instruments when something that is really nice about this piece is the interaction of the whole (kontra) band. The way the band captures you and leads you to the point where Inna's voice comes in. Bass and voice. It makes the world fade away, really.

All of you capture the listener and by the time her voice comes in it's inevitable: one is irremediably lost.

Congratulations and thank you.
posted by micayetoca at 5:30 PM on October 14, 2008

You make such beautiful, beautiful music. I simply love Inna's voice -- her phrasing is so delicate and skillful. Thank you for sharing this here.
posted by melissa may at 11:08 PM on October 14, 2008

This is quite an achievement, isn't it ?
Thank you, this is splendid.
posted by nicolin at 12:47 AM on October 15, 2008