Takacs Assad Labro [CD]

My friend Clarice Assad called me out of the blue a few months after our album Confessions earned a GRAMMYr nomination. Clarice had written the title tracks on the album, which Laura Strickling sang magnificently. "Bob," Clarice said, "I have an idea..." I have learned that anytime Clarice has an idea, I'm interested. "I wrote a piece for Takács Quartet and bandoneón virtuoso Julien Labro. It's a wild piece. The five of them have been performing it all over the world on tour, and I think you would like it. Actually, I know you would like it. Julien wrote a companion piece, and the third work is by Bryce Dessner. I think you know Bryce; he lives in Paris. What a trio!" I responded that it sounded wonderful. "I want you to record these three works, plus another piece I have in mind for violin and piano. When can we do it?" Hence began one of Yarlung's most adventurous (and I hope you will agree, successful) collaborations in the label's nineteen year history. -Bob Attiyeh, producer.