The Deutsche Grammophon label does not have a strong track record with light music, but give a chance to this release by the Slovak-Austrian
Janoska Ensemble: three brothers named Janoska, plus a brother-in-law, double bassist
Julius Darvas. Aspects of the music -- the Gypsy influences, the short virtuoso showpieces, the waltzes, and standard classical melodies -- might have come from the work of a Viennese café ensemble a century and a quarter ago. But the
Janoska Ensemble updates this repertoire in several effective ways. They contribute new compositions of their own, and they include an arrangement of
Astor Piazzolla's elegiac tango Adiós Nonino at the end that works exceptionally well in this context. They raise the virtuosity level in Paganinoska, a reworking of
Paganini's Caprice No. 24. And, at the same time, they take a step in the direction of chamber music as opposed to café music; the piano quartet-like ensemble of two violins, double bass, and piano brings a soberness that sets off the Gypsy rhythms of a Sarasate in a new way. Sample one of the custom-written compositions, like Melodie for Melody, for a typical taste. Enjoyable as party music, but also as listening music. ~ James Manheim