Paradisa!

Not one of my concerts! This time I was a member of the audience.

One thing I do appreciate around here are the music concerts with groups I’ve never heard before. Or, for that matter, heard of. Last night, it was Paradisa! and all I can say is that you people who live in Phoenix are damned lucky to have such a wonderful group in your midst.

For the record, Paradisa! is  a cello, flute, and piano trio, all female, and very talented. While the classics are a part of their repertoire, they are certainly not bounded by the classics. Last night, they added a few jazz pieces to their program, along with a two pieces that fall into the world music category by Christopher Caliendo. (Never heard of him before either, but his Tristeza for these instruments was wonderful. His tango was good, too, but I adored the Tristeza.)

Listen.

And then go to Caliendo’s myspace site and listen to his Tristeza. (Different than last night’s rendition because he’s playing the guitar instead of having the piano–but the piano and cello on the base line really worked for me.)