Much to our delight, up-and-coming pianist Marco Mezquida and brilliant young star Silvia Perez Cruz (both hailing from Catalonia) have joined forces. For the past two years they’ve toured the world together, setting their collaboration in stone with a concert in Tokyo. The ‘Ma’ symbol seen on the album cover is a Japanese concept that describes the space between things that are close together. Indeed, the record gives us a glimpse into the space between these two artists’ unique realms. And in that space is a world of unlimited possibilities. Their broad repertoire ranges from Anton Bruckner's Baroque Romanticism (Christus Factus Est, which is intertwined with Ornette Coleman’s Lonely Women and Rodgers & Hart’s standard My Funny Valentine) to Radiohead’s No Surprises, played on toy piano.
There’s a wonderful – and tasteful – eclecticism. We find Portuguese fado with Barco Negro (previously performed by Amália Rodriguez), a tribute to their fellow Catalan citizen Maria del Mar Bonet with No Trobaràs La Mar and a huge musical trip around South America. We are transported to Brazil with Vitor Ramil (Estrella, Estrella) and Luiz Gonzaga (Asa Branca). We go to Argentina with Jorge Fandermole (Oración Del Remanso) and Edgardo Donato (Siga El Baile). La Llorona, previously sang by Chavela Vargas and Lhasa, takes us to Mexico. We also stop off in Chile with Niño Mudo, a song popularised by Quilapayun with lyrics by the amazing Lorca. It was also Lorca who also inspired Leonard Cohen for Take This Waltz, found here in a unique version as an encore (Pequeño Vals Vienés). Travelling further north, it’s not only Cohen we find but Paul Simon as well with Sound of Silence, which is injected with new energy. Occasionally accompanied by the singer’s guitar, Mezquida is majestic and solemn on the piano. Perez Cruz’s voice soars, opening her heart to reveal both fiery and intimate emotions. Their beautiful journey to the Land of the Rising Sun closes the gap (the ma) between their souls and those of people who listen to them. © Benjamin MiNiMuM/Qobuz