Yoav Talmi, distinguished conductor of the Quebec Symphony, and his wife Er’ella Talmi, former principal flautist of the Israel Chamber Orchestra, have released a lovely collection of Yoav Talmi’s music featuring a wide array of talented performers. The album begins with Talmi’s stunning Elegy for Strings, Timpani and Accordian (1997) performed by the Israel String Ensemble. This richly conceived work is based on reflections on the Dachau concentration camp and filled with subtle musical quotation.

The recording follows with Talmi’s Three Monologues for Flute Solo (1980), a modernist work that takes advantage of Er’ella Talmi’s technical virtuosity to explore the flute’s powers of expression. The album includes five collections of beautifully arranged songs of Jewish, Yiddish, and Israeli origin, and a group of “Jewish Songs from the Ghetto.” Although all feature Ms. Talmi, the instrumentation varies from concerto form to piccolo and bassoon, and the melodies from somber to danceable. The album concludes with a short work for flute and piano by Gil Talmi, the Talmis’ son and successful film composer.

This album will be of special interest to those interested in Jewish music and culture as well as anyone looking for high quality new music featuring the flute.

Er’ella Talmi, flute and piccolo
Yoav Talmi, piano and conductor
Centaur Records, 2006
Compositions and arrangements by Yaov Talmi