A beguiling concert by an all-star group performing some of Karaindrou's film and theatre-inspired scores, recorded with characteristic ECM warmth and clarity.

There is no doubt about it; Eleni Karaindrou writes very good film/theatre music....We all need a bit of light music from time to time, and this is a high quality spot to get your fix. If you like your André Rieu and fancy exploring a little further afield then this if a fine place to go.

Themes from the films of Theo Angelopoulos are interleaved with music for Greek productions of plays by Williams, Miller and Albee, but while the orchestrations big-up the original scores, lushness is not what the spare, tense themes of Karaindrou are most treasured for.

Greece’s finest film and theatre composer also has some useful friends. Fabulous solos from saxophonist Jan Garbarek, viola player Kim Kashkashian and oboist Vangelis Christopoulos grace this concert of Eleni Karaindrou’s beguilingly atmospheric music. I like it best when it is mistily melancholic

There are marvellous things here. Karaindrou’s style is generally understated and subtle. Colours are muted, tempi tend to be restrained. Yet this music always moves, seems to be going somewhere and has something definite to say – there’s a welcome lack of ambient, moody blandness.