Hi everyone, I just wanted to know your opinion about this group, which I discovered not so long ago..
Jean-Michel Veillon plays the flute in Kornog, and his playing is just amazing!
Let me know your feelings towards this band.
Cheers.
Diego.
Super band! I first heard them in the early-mid 90s when I picked up a tape of theirs at a yard sale. Since have gotten to know their music a bit more and have to say that in terms of band gigs one of the most entertaining and also impressive performances I’ve seen was a Kornog show several years ago. It was one of those shows that you’d need to see several times in order to well pay attention to what each member is doing. That being said, I’d agree JMV is a superb player. Have had the opportunity to play some tunes with the man at his house in Brittany as well and will say that more often than not I felt the need to just stop playing and listen (which I did!). Tonality and control like I haven’t heard in other players. He also has more flutes in one room that I’ve seen anywhere else, and is a very humble, friendly fellow.
Cheers
Rob
I second Rob - J-M V absolutely rocks. I’ve quoted him as one of my 3 or 4 flute “gods” for years (along with Matt Molloy, Stephen Preston and Barthold Kuijken - last two are baroque/period specialists, BTW, but should be compulsory listening for all fluters of any style…). If you like Kornog, check out Pennou Skoulm and, above all, Barzaz, as well as anything else Jean-Michel has done, including all his solo stuff. He has a full discography on his website including links to buy. Every little nuance he plays is absolutely controlled and deliberate yet totally natural and “right”. His technique and his musical sensitivity are formidable! And he is a truly lovely guy whom I have had the good fortune to meet quite a few times over many years, though I’ve never had the privilege of visiting him at home. I’m hoping to see him at Lorient in about 3 weeks time!
I agree with all of you.
Kornog is one of the best traditional bands ever, and JMV one of the Gods in the flutes heaven.
My favourite Kornog album is Kornog IV, full of harmonies, rythm changes, complexity, bautyfull melodies…absolutely brilliant, but any of the other albums are great as well.
You cant´t miss a band like Kornog.
S.
I just heard Prèmiere (a live recording) of Kornog and it really rocks! They did (and still do) a lot of concerts in the US, but I don’t really know details about this relationship they have with America. Does someone know more about this?
Cheers.
Diego.
I can’t answer your last Q, Diego, but I can say this: I only have one Kornog album, Korong, and whilst I do think it excellent and enjoy J-M V’s playing on it as much as ever, it doesn’t grab my attention the way the two Barzaz albums do, or his solo/duo output and work with Pennou Skoulm. Have you heard any of those? My favourite albums with him on are probably the two duo albums with Yvon Riou and the first Barzaz album, Ec’honder. I haven’t heard any other Kornog albums, nor Den nor Toud’Sames, so there are gaps in my knowledge, but it would be very hard to equal, let alone beat the ones I mentioned. If you haven’t got them, get them and be utterly blown away.
Jem, I haven’t heard Barzaz, but I will, thanks.
Any other flute player or band that plays breton music you could recommend me? thank you.
Diego.