Praful & Helvia Briggen - The Silent Side of Satie (2018)

German-born Sax- & Bansuri (Indian Bamboo Flute)-player Praful is internationally known for his personal brand of crossover between World Music, Jazz and Ambient, while French harpist Helvia Briggen works as principal harpist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Nice, France. Together, they have recorded a contemplative album with 8 well-known pieces by French composer Erik Satie, enriched with pieces by Federico Mompou, Rentaro Taki and 4 own originals. This collection sounds unlike anything one has heard before: Praful improvises around Satie s melodies with grace and skill, blowing new life into the century-old pieces and adding a new dimension to them. Helvia Briggen, with her harp and wonderful tone, provides him the safe base to take his adventurous flights. The Gymnopédies and Gnossiennes, with their thematic repeated loops, their constant regular beats and their deep silences, offer a perfect base for improvisation. While respecting the essence of Satie, the two take the freedom to expand the structures. Witness the melting of two different worlds, beating as one heart.