Bloom

Improvising vocalist, folk singer, storyteller, pianist: on her ECM recording debut Areni Agbabian focuses the range of her skills in music that casts a quiet spell.

A sparse music in which voice, piano and the subtle percussion of Nicolas Stocker (last heard on ECM with Nik Bärtsch's Mobile ensemble), continually shade into silence. 8239;The California-born Agbabian, who came to international attention with the groups of Tigran Hamasyan, draws deeply upon her Armenian heritage, reinterpreting sacred hymns, a traditional tale, a folk melody transcribed by Komitas and more, and interspersing these elements among her own evocative compositions.

Bloom was recorded in Lugano in October 2016 and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Personnel: Areni Agbabian (voice, piano), Nicolas Stocker (percussion)