Szabo, Sandor & Kevin Kastning: Returning

The musical art form of Classical improvisation is alive and well with the virtuoso guitar twins, Sandor Szabo and Kevin Kastning, on their new record, Returning. Featuring 10 songs of 12 string acoustic guitar playing bliss, Szabo and Kastning are simply two marvels on their instruments.

A modern day guitar explorer, Kevin Kastning has invented 2 instruments that had not previously existed; the 12-string Extended Baritone guitar and the 12-string Alto guitar, both of which are used by both musicians on Returning. Kastning from Kansas and Szabo hailing from Hungary are both regarded as compositional genius's and the awe inspiring performances throughout the new disc signal that true improvisation is only performed once.

In the styles forged by Jazz giants like McLaughlin, de Lucia and Di Meola, and Coltrane, Szabo and Kastning take the torch and continue to forge along in a way that is no longer heard in modern music. The thing is improve has pretty much solely been an art form steeped in Jazz, NOT in Classical music. Classical music has been the form of interpretation, not that of improv. This is what makes this recording so interesting. Returning is simply a marvel to sit and intake and the pure unadulterated brilliance of the Classical compositions and their organic improvisation will leave you breathless. Recorded in one day, with no overdubs, no cheating and no "studio magic", these are all more reasons to bask in the greatest contained within. The music is dark, eloquent and vibrant and will move you.

Understand that these songs are created from the playing of one single note that is not planned out in advance and then cultivated into a rich tapestry between two vastly competent musical impresarios. They give you the feeling that the songs are memorized but they are not. The pieces are conceptualized in each others minds and are usually played off of each other with their eyes closed to bring them musical guidance. This is improv in its truest sense. The creations are gorgeous, full of expression, full of heart and ONLY played once. If the opportunity arises for you to catch these two maestro's locally in your area, you will be treated to completely new, completely written on the spot, improvisational pieces that have not been played previously. This is such awe inspiring talent that we have here, folks. I have no idea how these two can do this, but it is simply amazing. Returning is quite unpredictable, complex and challenging, all the while channeling each others thoughts to their combined 24 strings of brilliance. This record will sit well as dinner party music, as well as thought provoking fodder for the musician types that you might know. The music is beautifully rich and intensely complex, composed by two musicians of the utmost caliber.

Sándor Szabo: 12 string baritone guitar
Kevin Kastning: 12 string extended baritone guitar, 6 string bass, baritone guitar, 12 string alto guitar

Track Listing
1. POINT OF ENTRY
2. RETURNING TO A PLACE WE'VE NEVER BEEN
3. FOURTH PLEOCHROISM
4. ENGLSCHREIT
5. OVER THE HILLS, THE CLOUDS SEEM SO DISTANT
6. SIALIA SIALIS
7. SEMPITERNAL
8. IN DAUNSINGE
9. LEAF DAWN RESIST
10. VANISHING POINT

Added: October 1st 2010
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2983
Language: english

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