One of the wonderful things about the Festival season this past year in Europe is that there was no shortage of musical experimenting going on. If you were up for the ride, it was generally pretty exciting.

Take for example this one - from The Amadeus Festival just outside Geneva Switzerland during this past September 7th. A concert featuring Pianist and festival Music Director Alexandre Tharaud and Flamenco guitarist and singer Alberto Garcia in a combined program of music of Scarlatti and traditional Flamenco. It was recorded live by Espace 2 of Radio Suisse Romande.

On the face of it, it doesn't seem like a terribly good idea (granted, if you're not familiar with traditional Flamenco singing, it may take some getting used to), but ten minutes into it, you're hooked. As was the audience, since they asked for (and got) no less than two encores.

Pretty adventuresome and exciting stuff. And it's a little over an hour, so it all fits on one player.

Here's a rundown of what you'll be hearing:

07 Septembre 2011
Alexandre Tharaud, piano
Alberto Garcia, quitare et chanteur flamenco

Domenico SCARLATTI (1685 - 1757)
Sonates K64, K239 et K380
Malagueña y verdial*
Sonates K208 et K72
Solea*
Sonates K3 et K430
Vidalita*
Sonate K141
Toná*
Sonate K8
Siguiriya*
* chants traditionnels (Sous réserve de modifications)

I confess to being a big fan of Scarlatti and Flamenco anyway, so that instantly grabbed my attention. It may or may not yours.

If not, there's always last week if you missed it and next week if you'll stick around.