Many musicians dream of making a record with a symphony orchestra, but few can afford to make it a reality. Thanks to an extraordinary ability to compose melodies that take root in his listeners’ minds and because he has, for years, patiently performed these compositions on stage to the point where they are practically a part of him, Avishai Cohen was well-positioned to execute such an ambition. As Cohen himself notes, his songs seem predisposed to adaptation at an orchestral scale, and the fact that they retain the same intensity that has provoked such widespread admiration demonstrates the vigor of his music.
Avishai Cohen had been dreaming of this experience for over a decade. Two Roses is the result of a long process, with his trio and his collaboration with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Alexander Hanson, Cohen proves that this foray into classical music was not a passing whim but rather a sincere expression of his desire to remain free from the boundaries of “genre” — a term he admits to loathing.
Cohen did not embark on this adventure alone. His trusted trio includes two musicians for whom he is full of praise. Azerbaijani pianist Elchin Shirinov, who appeared on Cohen’s previous record, Arvoles, plays with lyricism and clarity. And New Jersey – native drummer Mark Guiliana, with whom Cohen revolutionized the trio’s approach in the 2000s, protects the groove and rhythmic sharpness specific to Cohen’s music. And of course, there are the 92 talented women and men of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.
- Avishai Cohen, bass
- Mark Guiliana, drums
- Elchin Shirinov, piano
Additional Instrumentation:
- Avishai Cohen, vocals, acoustic bass, electric bass, minimoog synthesizer
- Gothenberg Symphony Orchestra
- Alexander Hansen, conductor
01. Almah Sleeping (3:59)
02. When I'm Falling (3:52)
03. Song for My Brother (4:45)
04. Two Roses (Shnei Shoshanim) (4:25)
05. Nature Boy (4:34)
06. Emotional Storm (7:14)
07. Puncha Puncha (6:24)
08. Arab Medley (5:18)
09. A Child Is Born (8:35)
10. Alon Basela (4:55)
11. Morenika (4:11)
12. Nature Talking (4:16)
