Viola da Samba

NADINE BALBEISI - soprano

FERNANDO MARÍN - viola da gamba

JEAN KLEEB- clavichord

Viola da Samba, (a wordplay on samba being played on a viola da gamba), is an ensemble creating a bridge between Renaissance and Brazilian popular music. The pure, light sounds of early music instruments blend with the vivacious rhythms and rich harmonies of samba and bossa nova. The subtle timbres and the versatile sounds of the clavichord together with the viola da gamba fit perfectly with the spirit of Brazilian music, revealing the connection between the musical elements (scales, rhythm and temperament) of popular and early music. Brazilian composer and clavichord specialist, Jean Kleeb, brilliantly arranges samba and bossa nova for these exquisite instruments adding innovative introductions to standards like „Wave“ and „Samba de uma nota só“ (One note Samba) and composes new works for this group. The viol strings, made exclusively of natural gut, create a pure and organic sound. This sound, in combination with a specific technique developed by gambist Fernando Marin, offer a new experience for the world of jazz and bossa nova. Nadine Balbeisi's delicate and refined voice, trained in Renaissance singing, Jean Kleeb's mastery of playing bossa nova chords on the clavichord and Fernando Marin's skillful bowing of the viola da gamba create a perfect musical symbiosis.

The American/Jordanian Soprano, Nadine Balbeisi began her international solo career when she moved to Germany, singing oratorio, chamber music, opera and recitals. She specialises in early music and founded the unique duo Cantar alla Viola, whose most recent album was nominated for the International Classical Music Awards. Together with viola da gambist Fernando Marin, she has researched and recorded repertoire for the duo releasing several critically acclaimed CDs. She has performed as a soloist with various ensembles and has featured in the first three CDs of the ensemble Atalante, focusing on repertoire from 17th century Rome.

“…familiar and yet new. The music seemed like a fragile, intricate lace pattern, transparently soft and delicate, between melancholy and joie de vivre.” 

NÜRNBERG

Originally from Alicante, the gambist, cellist and musicologist, Fernando Marín has specialized in early bowed instruments, historical interpretation and chamber music. He has researched the origins, methods of playing and repertoire of these instruments, developing a unique technique for accompanying the voice in the duo Cantar alla Viola. In addition to five Duo CDs, he has released four solo CDs, the first CD, eVIOLution, traces the origins of the viola da gamba, while the second, sCORDAtura, focuses on historical strings and tunings. His most recent albums include The Art of the Vihuela de arco and Magia Consoni et Dissoni. He has a PhD. in Musicology on the bowed vihuela, and has published articles on musical rhetoric, historical use and production of gut strings, ornamentation and improvisation. www.vihueladearco.com

Jean Kleeb is a Brazilian pianist, clavichordist and composer with a special aspiration to create a dialogue between different cultures and time periods. His numerous works written for choir, piano and ensembles range from modern music to world music and have been published by Barenreiter (Germany) and Helbling Editions (Austria). He published the first Brazilian choir book in Europe and recently composed Missa Brasileira, a Brazilian Mass. His books Mozart goes Jazz and Classic goes Jazz have been part of Barenreiters piano albums since 2006 with upcoming editions including Beethoven goes Jazz and Beethoven around the World. Jean Kleeb is a choral director and regularly gives workshops on Brazilian rhythms and music. www.jeankleeb.de

PRESS COMMENTS

"...a magical mix of Classical music and Samba, played on early instruments. The musicians enchanted the audience..."

Oberhessische Presse

“Both instruments sound as if they come from another, older world and create the basis for the virtuous voice control of the singer...The listeners are enraptured.”

Kölner Stadt Anzeiger