Boheme Music
Vermicelli Orchestra : Byzantium (rec.1999)***
In this later album the group evolved to a somewhat more dynamic and evolved sound, so I preferred to play the most independently styled track from this album. The group plays also with orchestra.
Full review :
"On the second CD the sound has many more blended elements so that the final style of the band and its performances / compositions on this CD are more independent. On the first track we hear some rock influences, including a more 'Tullish' flute. It has captivating melodic rhythms which are also more jazzy and with some live subcrossing borders like energy. Other tracks, like "The Dancing Sphinx", "Maria" have a kind of relaxed independent art chamber acoustic style which I like very much. Sometimes this has elements of minimal music, like in "Sea Wind". "Shantolina" is lighter in style, in an art folk way, but also here the arrangements are very varied. In general, there are, except for the three last tracks of the album, like "Sacateta", and a bit on "Ocarina", and on the last track "Forilien", less folk influences, and the blending in general is much stronger. The last track "Forilien" is a bit a light weight end for a very good release, with its use of an Irish theme, but I still like very much the perfect additional bassoon there. Both CD's are recommended listen if you like folk."
Since its existence the group has been very active on stage. It has also performed support acts for people like Peter Hammil (ex-Van Der Graaf Generator) and Michael Nyman with his orchestra (famous for his 'minimal music'). Since end 2001 they also work with a chamber orchestra.
Homepage : http://www.vo.org.ru/ (contains both Russian and English versions. English version contains many soundfiles and copies of reviews in English, as well as other materials).
