Ephemera

All four musicians of Lingua Franca are graduates of the Rotterdam Conservatoire (CODARTS) and two are now teachers there, specialising in the modal music of the eastern Mediterranean. In this they are also part of that extensive network of musicians composing new music for traditional instruments as pioneered by Ross Daly. Violinist Michalis Kouloumis and oud/guitar player Giannis Koutis are from Cyprus, tarhu (bowed spike fiddle) player Michalis Cholevas is from Greece, and percussionist Ruven Ruppik is from Germany.
The opening ‘Ephemera’ sounds like a hazy memory of the Serbian song ‘Ajde Jano’ and rather outstays its welcome. Modal, non-Western tones are more pronounced on ‘The Return’, which feels more substantial. There are guest contributions from Niti Ranjan Biswas on tabla and Kudsi Erguner (who also teaches at CODARTS) on nay (end-blown flute) on two other tracks. The compositions are good, but rather polite, over-extended and need more moments of passion. But Lingua Franca are nonetheless a quality ensemble, welcome on the scene.