In this album we welcome Albanian musicians and artists Bledi Boraku and Mardit B. Lleshi, with their album called ‘Saggio’. Their work together combines Bledi’s electric guitar tones with Mardit’s textured cello timbres. Whilst they work together regularly in live performances, this album is their official debut release.

The album was performed and recorded live, capturing the acoustics of the room as a key component of this record. This gives the album another dimension from contemporary classical music, which tends to be produced pristinely, with high-end mixing equipment. There is a balance of darkness and warmth throughout these pieces, which play through seamlessly as one continuous listen.

The impression is given of a live concert, perhaps inside a dimly-lit church as depicted by Benet Nelku’s cover artwork. The grandeur of the church from the outside dark alongside the power of the music is imposing, yet inviting. Inside, a charm and character unravels; Peter Nejedly’s photo in the CD sleeve shows a tired old roof with its dusty beams. Tales from the centuries would be told, if these beams could speak. Instead, the music beams through in the detailed layers of Saggio, a word which translates to ‘wise’.