Review of "After Hours" in SOUNDBOARD Magazine

Review of After Hours from AlmaNova (Jessica Pierce, flute and Almer Imamovic, guitar)

Two earlier discs by AlmaNova were well received here and this one is also very engaging. Much of it involves the infectious mixed meters of Imamovic’s native Balkan region, but there are also pieces of a very intense, sinuous and melodic beauty. Some are original works by the duo while others are arrangements. It all holds together very well. It begins with Bosna Nova (no, it’s not a misprint) with the guitarist multi-tracked on steel string and classical guitars, a texture used repeatedly and effectively on the disc. (The flute is also multi-tracked occasionally.) Among my favorite cuts are the fourth, Zajdi, Zajdi, a hauntingly beautiful melody, and the sixth, Jovano, Jovanke, which the notes call “a highly energetic arrangement of an old traditional Macedonian folk song.” Yes, indeed. The energy is aided by very nice percussion work by the guitar. Massimo Dancing, inspired by the artist’s nephew, is another gem. These are very sophisticated arrangements for flute(s), guitar(s), and percussion: the musical structures, though miniature, are impressive. Liner notes and recording quality are fine. I enjoyed this disc very much. In fact, it made me want to grab the guitar and start improvising in 7/x. Luckily there was no one to hear the result!

By: Al Kunze
Soundboard, vol. XXXV, No. 3, pg. 117

Two New Reviews from U.K.'s Classical Guitar Magazine and Australia's Flute Focus!

Please read this great review of After Hours from Australia's premier flute magazine, Flute Focus written by Cathy Wainwright on May 21, 2010.

Alma Nova – After Hours

Jessica Pierce – Flute

Almer Imamovic – Guitar

http://www.almanovaduo.com

If you want to be inspired and uplifted then this is the album for you! The infectious rhythms and haunting melodies of folk tunes from Macedonia and Imamovic’s native Bosnia reflect the gamut of human emotion from sadness and pain to hope and belief in the future.

Flute and guitar duo Alma Nova present in this their third album, their own compositions and arrangements linking traditional folk themes of love, loss, sadness and the search for peace, tranquillity, and hope, with events in their own lives, giving the album a very personal focus and expression. The energy, passion and sincerity of the artists shine through in every track.

Every track has a freshness and a personal investment in the music which is sometimes missing in recordings of mainstream repertoire. The title After Hours expresses the idea that this is the music the artists choose to play when they have finished rehearsing or playing their ‘classical repertoire’ – truly music from the heart.

Flautist Jessica Pierce, a graduate of the famed Eçole Normale de Music de Paris, plays with effortlessly flowing melodic lines that range from sensuous to plaintive and wistful. Guitarist Almer Imamovic is likewise a master of his instrument, and together the pair form a perfectly balanced duo. Overdubbing of additional parts on some tracks adds to the depth and interest without compromising the balance.

But don’t take my word for it. Have a look at their attractively presented website where you can not only hear sound clips, but also follow links to YouTube videos of their performances. Their YouTube video of Massimo Dancing, with guest artist Jim Walker (Jessica’s current Doctorate supervisor) is fantastic! And if you are anywhere near the NFA Convention in Anaheim CA in August be sure to catch them performing there on the 14th.

This CD will certainly be an addition to my iPod!

Able Seaman Musician Cathy Wainwright is a Flautist with the Sydney Detachment of the Royal Australian Navy Band, and was one of the first group of women to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force Band. Cathy holds a MMus from the University of New South Wales, a Fellowship Diploma in Flute Performance from Trinity College, London, and has extensive flute teaching experience both privately and in schools.


Review from Classical Guitar Magazine, the U.K.'s premier guitar magazine.

AlmaNova: Debut

This duo met while studying at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris and have toured North America, Mexico, France, Eastern Europe and the U.K.

This disc encompasses Imamovic's original compositions and arrangements of love songs from his native, Bosnia. Many of the tunes are instantly hummable, they have a musical simplicity which is charming and whether originals or arrangements, Imamovic has done an exceptional job throughout. Mixed in with the sentimental sounding tracks are several up-tempo ones which really get the feet tapping (especially notable being the final track where both players are, one assumes, double tracking) and a couple of well-played guitar solos, too. There is not really one low point in the whole program, all the pieces are of a most attractive nature and are well performed by this ably equipped duo.

The recording quality is of a high standard, the presentation lets the side down a little though with just a one-sheet insert containing little information about the duo of the music, for that, you have to visit their website.

-Steve Marsh, Classical Guitar Magazine, UK

Two New Reviews!

Our CD, 'Debut' was recorded in 2006 and yet we are very pleased that we still receive some very nice reviews. Our latest release, 'After Hours' has just begun to be reviewed and we thought we'd share these two latest ones we came across! Thanks to all for supporting this CD and our music in general!!

FLUTE FOCUS MAGAZINE:

01 JAN 2009

AlmaNova - "Debut" Written by Jim Langabeer

Pure musical pleasure is the result of this masterful combination of Jessica Pierce's flute and Almer Imamovic's guitar. Both performers are passionate players and give breath-taking performances in their original combinations of classical and romantic music and Bosnian love songs and lively dances. The duo started while they were both students at the famed Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, and has flowered in the course of major world tours and highly praised concerts. In style, they take time to state and develop the many melodies and rhythmic energies with impeccable techniques, and yet retain a relaxed, restrained purity of sound. On this recording the pair make judicious use of added hand percussion from Jim Coffin, and a little instrumental overdubbing, but maintain an acoustic sensibility throughout. For variety, inspiration, and listener enjoyment this collection of ten arrangements sets high standards for a flute and guitar ensemble program. Unreservedly recommended.

MINOR 7TH AlmaNova "After Hours," 2009 Flautist Jessica Pierce and guitarist Almer Imamovic perform as AlmaNova. This CD features music influenced by Macedonian folk traditions, including several original pieces. The liner notes convey the significance of each piece, e.g., one written for a child, another for a friend’s wedding. The disc opens with Imamovic’s composition, "Bosna Nova," an uptempo piece combining Eastern melodies connected by bluegrass-flavored guitar runs. "Bitola" follows, its simple presentation resulting in a moving performance. Imamovic overdubs multiple parts on the title track, with one low-voiced guitar imitating the Balkan saz. On the traditional Macedonian song, "Zajdi, Zajdi", the musicians take time to develop a plaintive yet alternately wistful mood. On each selection, Jessica Pierce’s flute trades melodic statements with the guitar, each perfectly complementing the other. This CD is very much a personal project for AlmaNova, and it’s one that pays off for the listener. © Patrick Ragains

CSU Summer Arts: AlmaNova's Amazing Review!

For some reason we seem to travel to the city of Fresno, CA about once a year! This particular trip was especially nice....although it was about 105 degrees!!! We were invited as guest artists and master teachers along with other flute legends like Jim Walker and William Bennett. We were so happy to hear the extremely high levels of the students who participated in the master classes and were honored to teach them!

The highlight for us was the great concert we played...and the review the next day by Donald Munro from the Fresno Bee Newspaper!

Please read:

Flute, guitar a beautiful Pair at Fresno State by Donald Munro

Thanks to Summer Arts, I now am in love with the sound of flute and guitar together.

All it took was one concert earlier this week by the AlmaNova duo, whose two players, Almer Imamovic and Jessica Pierce, are instructors in the flute and guitar workshop at the California State University Summer Arts program at Fresno State.

So, what was it about Imamovic and Pierce's performance that opened my ears to this wonderful combination of instruments?

On fresnobeehive.com, I wrote that as I listened to them play I kept thinking of two swallows hurling through the sky -- diving, soaring, swooping, with first one and then the other taking the lead, the two of them sometimes exploding with energy but more often quietly flitting here and there in a graceful, intuitively choreographed display of seamless connection.

The pair is married in real life, and they have a stage relationship that is touching to watch. Imamovic strums his guitar so smoothly at times it's as if he's caressing a stone, and Pierce's flute lyrically fills the hall with a gentle, effortless swell. Watching Imamovic watch his wife as they play is particularly sweet. He stands when he plays, and he periodically turns to gaze at her, his shoulders pulsing with the beat almost as if the two are dancing.

There's a strong Eastern European influence in AlmaNova's songs, which is not surprising considering Imamovic's Bosnian roots. (He writes much of the group's material.) Slightly exotic yet with a velvety finish, the duo's sound never delves into meditative Windham Hill territory, but it also projects a mellow, accomplished mood. Many of the songs have direct ethnic connections: "Sarajevo Nights" seems to twinkle with the vitality of a city, and "Moj Golube," an arrangement of a Macedonian folk song, captures the age-old story of love and loss.

I was entranced, and I'm going to track their CDs down for a further listen. I know I'm looking forward to hearing their colleagues play, as well.

Review of the "Debut" by Carla Rees

AlmaNova is a flute and guitar duo comprising Jessica Pierce and Almer Imamovic.  It was formed during their studies at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris.  The folk-influences music on this disc includes Imamovic's arrangements of the traditional Bosnian works and his own compositions.  It is not clear from the sleeve-notes which are which, as there is no individual information about each track other than the listing on the back.  

Sarajevo Nights is an upbeat track, with percussive definition and a florid flute melody.  This track gives the disc a strong opening, well-written for the instruments and allows both players to shine.  The playing from both of those performers is idiomatic and immediately demands attention.  Moj Golube is a moderately paced ballad with a lyrical melody given well-chosen ornamentation.  The opening of Uzeh Djugum i Mastrafu is haunting beautiful, with rich, dark flute tones heard over tremolo guitar.  The mood lightens, and a poised dance follows.  Theme for Carolyn moves through several changes of mood, with a simple melody line varied through the use of different accompaniment style on the guitar.  Scott's Guitar is a beautifully performed solo for guitar, while Tapkalica is another fast, rhythmic track, with repeated melodic patterns building the momentum to a frenzy.  La Nuit avec P.K. is another languid guitar solo which develops into a toccata-like dance with a punchy groove.  The exotic Jamilla's Dance has a Dance of the Seven Veils quality to it, with Pierce's seductive pitch bends demanding attention.  Dinner with J.D. features multi-tracked flutes in a piece which has a more western-pop style - parts of this track reminded me of Kenny G - than the rest of the disc.  The Bosnian roots return for the final track, Song for Marcus, in a fast paced dance, which also features some multi-tracking.

This is an enjoyable disc which adds an interesting dimension to flute and guitar repertoire.  Those players are clearly passionate about their choices of repertoire, and Pierce makes excellent use of ornamentation in her playing to give a sense of drama to otherwise simple melodic lines.  Both players have excellent technical control and they have a wonderful report as a duo.  

-Carla Rees, MusicWeb-International.com

American Record Guide!

We were honored to have been reviewed in the premier recording guide publication, the American Record Guide! They reviewed our latest release, 'Classic Giuliani' in the November-December 2008 issue. Please read below if you don't have a copy of the guide.

If you would like to purchase your copy of 'Classic Giuliani' for the holidays, click here!

AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

In May/June I reviewed a similar program by a Danish violin-guitar duo, Kim Sjorgen and Lars Hannibal. I responded warmly to that performance, but this one is even better. I was prepared not to like this, a self-release of a pair of young players with little information about the music or performers. I had to go to their websites to get their last names, beyond Almer and Jessica (come on, folks, the world needs adults). But I thoroughly enjoyed these performances. Though the scores do say "for flute or violin and guitar", I think the music works better on flute than violin. Certainly there are no double stops or specialized bowings that might be idiomatic for the violin but impossible on flute. Actually, any melody instrument can do these, but the parts seem especially right for the flute.

These are really elegant, tasteful performances. Pierce is a fine player with a lovely sound and a great sense of balance with her partner. She phrases subtly and beautifully and really understands this style. Imamovic is a fluid, somewhat understated player, but a solid partner who never seems to struggle.

Another advantage to this recording is that it does not include the frankly odd set of variations played by Sjorgen and Hannibal, but does include the Grand Duo Concertante, Opus 85. That is not as virtuosic or imaginative as the Gran Duetto Concertante, but it is quite lovely and has a ravishing melodic slow movement.

AlmaNova's Giuliani is some of the best I've heard.

-AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE/K.KEATON

REVIEW of 'Classic Giuliani'

We were really excited and honored to come across this great review of our latest release, 'Classic Giuliani'.  It comes from the online resources for CD's, Minor 7th and was written by James Scott.  Please read and hope you enjoy!  Ps...if you haven't already, you can purchase your copy from our website www.almanovaduo.com

AlmaNova's second release, "Classic Giuliani," offers  masterful interpretations of the late Italian guitar virtuoso's enduring work.  AlmaNova is an innovative duo consisting of American flutist, Jessica Pierce and Bosnian guitarist, Almer Imamovic.  Both musicians are classically trained and faithfully perform Giuliani's cannon with both grace and passion.  Jessica Pierce's virtuosic flute is prominently featured throughout this recording.  Her rich, warm intonation draws the listener deeper into each composition.  Imamovic's supportive pianistic approach is also noteworthy, providing an excellent backdrop for his partner's melodic cadenzas.  The guitarist also creates intricate rhythmic patterns and dazzling solo flights demonstrating a solid fluency on his instrument.  Together the two eloquently produce impeccable performances of classical music which are sure to please even the most discerning listeners of this genre.

Review of our concert!

We just received e-mail with a review of our concert written by a recent attendee at one of our concerts!!

Here is what it said:

"I just got home from hearing the most amazing duo!

They are young couple; she plays the flute, and he plays guitar...

Just stunning!

He is from Bosnia, and his compositions reflect his heritage...

She is an American girl, with European roots, and her music reflects that...

They play a blend of music from the Balkans, Spain, Latin America, and the British Isles...

I was transfixed!"