Nezehr – Fiddle Stories and Dazzling Ensemble

Blake Theatre, Monmouth – 16th Feb ’06 

Internationally renowned quartet, Nezehr, cast their musical net wide. They draw from the deep well of Welsh traditional music, expanding to the wider Celtic horizon, mixing this together with vibrant colours of the music from Eastern Europe and their own stunning original compositions. A unique musical experience is guaranteed!

So said the blurb on their site, and it didn’t mislead. Nezehr offered something new to their audiences. There are many folk groups around which specialise in music from one tradition or another, but Nezehr have a truly global influence. Their performance  was a selection of works written in collaboration with musicians from around the world, including Bulgaria and Norway. The group work in traditional ‘folk’ way – no transcriptions, just the non-written aural tradition. Their unique sound is also a blend of the modern and traditional – steel-string guitars and ‘Renaissance’ Period viols. No longer the domain of the tweed-wearing performance practice traditionalists, here the viol was returned to its chamber music and folk roots.

An evening of variety and colour. Highly recommended.