Vahid Matejkos Balkan-Duets for Clarinet

(incl.Audio CD, recorded by the Romanian clarinettist Nicolas Simion, and an additional booklet with the 2nd part).

You can expect Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek, Croatian, Macedonian, Romanian, Serbian and Turkish music full of mystery and passion.

After the Klezmer playalongs, the Balkan duets for clarinet by Vahid Matejko have now been released. And again Matejko proves to be an authentic arranger, sensitive composer and excellent connoisseur of the clarinet and its possibilities. Here you can learn a lot about the way of playing the music of the Balkan countries just by listening to it. Convincing. Play and listen!

Clarino. print (german brass magazine)

...And indeed Vahid Matejko Matejko has put together here an extremely interesting selection of traditionals and original compositions for two clarinets, which proves his class as an authentic composer and arranger. There are nine arrangements of Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek, Croatian, Macedonian, Romanian, Serbian and Turkish folk songs next to eleven successful original compositions in the respective style of the stylistic regions in which Matejko proves to be a pronounced connoisseur of the matter. Thus, Vahid Matejko's "Balkan Duets for Clarinet" provide not only a very informative introduction to this material, but also an extremely appealing repertoire of performances for two clarinets. Highly recommended!

Sonic (german brass magazine)

This collection truly deserves the title "Balkan Clarinet Book". It represents the rich musical tradition of the different countries and regions in the Balkans. The clarinet is an important instrument in this tradition. The present works are a valuable collection that could become an interesting part of the clarinetist's repertoire. It contains both the specific intonations and melodies of this region, as well as the special rhythm combinations that make up the significant character of folk music in this part of the world - as well as the ornate, diverse regional styles and some of Vahid Matejko's distinctive, compositional ideas.

MA Zdravko Angelov,(First clarinetist at the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra.)

Vahid's music is full of passion, mystery and pleasure. They are convincing, catchy and colorful compositions, reflecting the original places Vahid has already visited. The rhythms are very complex and reflect the Balkan environment and its musical heritage, which he has incorporated into the rhythmic nuances of his pieces.

Prof. Keith Copeland, (Professor at the University of Music, Cologne)

For me the Balkan duets by Vahid Matejko are like an excursion into the joie de vivre and the temperament of the Balkan countries! It's unbelievable fun to hear the lively, rhythmically interesting duets coming from different corners of the Balkans, which are steadily increasing in difficulty, and of course to play them even more. Due to their positive effect and Vahid's imaginative compositions and arrangements, I can recommend the pieces for both teaching and professional concert performances.

Matthias Maurer (among others active as clarinettist with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra)

ISBN-13: 978-3-933136-65-7