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Part one: NICOLAS KEDROFF, the Balalaîka’s man
 The 3 chord balalaika, which is the quintessential instrument usually used for traditional Russian folk dancing, becomes a highly versatile and complete instrument in the hands of Nicolas Kedroff. When Nicolas plays he becomes but one with his balalaika, an instrument crafted by the great Nalimov, the Stradovarius of the balalaika World. And it couldn’t find itself between better hands. Indeed, going to a concert of this Paganini of the balalaika is a moment of true joy as you see him hitting, pinching and stroking his instrument. He’ll make it tremble, then console it in his big hands or laugh out loud with it. His energy and enthusiasm on stage always manages to pull the audience into his frenzied World as everyone responds in kind. Accompanied by his usual partner in crime Oleg Ponomarenko on guitar, his performance at this 18th guitar festival in Patrimonio is likely to become the stuff of legends.
official website
Part two: Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau Quartet
 These two giants of the jazz World were for many years each other’s biggest fan and it was a great pity that they never seemed to be brought together on stage or on record. Well now it’s happened and their collaboration is everything one hoped it would be. As soon as they start playing you realise that this is not just a commercial coup of bringing together two big names on the same stage but rather a genuine encounter and empathy of two musical spirits. Everyone knows that both these musicians have very strong yet different personalities and one would be forgiven for wondering whether they therefore cancel each other out. Well, the answer’s no and that’s the thing. You see, its pure Metheny and pure Mehldau and yet their music comes together as one coherent whole. And one should not forget bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard who admirably contribute to cementing this ensemble and provide the ideal backdrop for the guitar-piano dialogue. A rare treat, no less.
Pat Metheny's official website
Brad Mehldau's official website
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