KOSMOS

www.kosmosensemble.com

Representation: Worldwide

Click here to email us about Kosmos

“Some distinguished exceptions apart, few artists brought up in the Western classical tradition have any interest or understanding of modal music of the kind performed in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. Kosmos is breaking new ground by taking such material and interpreting it in accordance with the highest standards of Western musical training. … Kosmos comes armed with a fluency in the best traditions of Western counterpoint and orchestration and applies this rigorously – there are echoes here of Ravel and the Minimalists as well as much that is original. The arrangements ebb and flow, shifting from turmoil to tranquillity and adding new emotional depth to melodies. … The playing is faultless, virtuoso where necessary and always refined and controlled. ... as the ensemble continues its journey it will undoubtedly scale very great heights indeed. ”
Chris Williams, Froots Worldwide Roots Music Guide

“In the music world, it is a rare treat to have something new and refreshing burst onto the scene. But Kosmos, the talented and vibrant string trio, is just such a treat. The bold fusion of different folk music styles and genre combined with the superlative musicianship of each player makes each performance an exciting uplifting journey. Everyone should make the effort to hear them; amongst the brightest of the rising stars in Britain, Kosmos are truly exceptional.”
Jethro Marsh, Editor, FE News.

“Between them there was not a single piece in the programme that seemed mundane, or was not played with sparkling panache. Each piece was their own interpretation and arrangement. The music ranged from the Balkans through Austro- Hungary - at one point we were with Brahms enjoying a drink in his Viennese local, listening to the gypsy music that he would make into his Hungarian Dance No 1; there was Dvorak, there were tangos, such as 'Jealousy' - moving the audience to a 1930s Grand Hotel for a ‘the dansant’ - and even a quick trip to Arabia.”
Alasdair Crosby, Jersey Evening Post

“With the various klezmer numbers, including a delightful wedding dance and the reasonably well-known Terk in Amerika (based on a Greek-Turkish melody called 'uskudar'), came their full spectrum of rapid trills, glissandos and broken chords. They handled the switchback changes in tempo with ease, never, ever falling into the trap of playing too fast and so maintaining a phrasing that was always rhythmic and crisp. This was a bright night of fine playing. The growth in interest in both 'World Music' and specifically klezmer means Kosmos is in a fiercely competitive part of the musical universe. But on this evidence I'm sure they will still be shining brightly in the years to come. ”
Paul Simon, Pulse Festival, 26/06/07

“In a programme of ten compositions, the trio demonstrated versatility and skill with Jewish Yiddish songs, Klezmer dances together with Gypsy, Greek and Turkish music. A superb example of Russian Gypsy music first created a sad and mournful atmosphere which soon quickened pace to a party mood encouraging the audience to clap to the infectious rhythm of the music. … The sound was beautiful and truly evocative. A brilliant and sparkling version of Brahms Hungarian Dance confirmed that the trio were talented Classical musicians. This charming and vivacious example was the highlight of the concert. ”
Chichester Festival: Graham Hewitt, Chichester Today

PHOTOGRAPHS OF KOSMOS