Gurzuf is the name given to Belarus post-rock / instrumental rock duo
Egor Zabelov and Artem Zalessky, both highly talented musicians. Zabelov is a
highly rated accordionist and Zalessky a top class percussionist. Gurzuf released their debut album Non-existent Movie in 2007. It's a mix
between the classical traditions of accordion music and contemporary
percussion. Non-existent Movie showcases Gurzuf's ability to create such
imaginative sounds from only two instruments. Marchen is the duo's sophomore
album, and at only 21 minutes, seems like an EP. Though Marchen does not
sound like an EP in anyway. The short length of this album actually acts as a
positive in the strength of its two tracks.
The titular track "Marchen" has many qualities. Instrumental rock
has a tendency to be flawed in places, but Gurzuf fend off all the typical
criticisms with this 13 minute track. It begins with a beautifully orchestrated
thumping drum and layered accordion. Volume levels are slowly turned up as
ambience and atmosphere fill the track. It takes a good three and a half
minutes of this before any variations occur. The accordion riff differs, as
Zalessky's cymbals ring with effect. Zabelov increase his efforts with the accordion
and the track formulates a build-up, to what is a split second of silence...
Suddenly the riff returns without the cymbals, but with French horn to
accompany the instrumentation and what sounds like a very powerful cello.
Zabelov clearly has an ear for structure and the knowledge to orchestrate
his minimalistic instruments in to what is essentially a post-rock track with
classical influences. The variations continue, and surprisingly,
"Marchen" never bores. It shows what just a couple of basic
instruments can do by themselves and the first 11 minutes of Marchen do
honestly put Zabelov and Zalessky on top of a music theory pedestal.
The dying moments of "Marchen" are essentially the cool down
minutes. A repetitious accordion riff rings loud, sounding like it could break
in to a powerful loud track at any moment, but refrains from this with the
secondary accordion and slow, atmospheric percussion. Usually I'm against fade
outs in music, but with post-rock and its genre label companions, I can be
forgiving. The slow fade works as Gurzuf complete the main bulk of this album.
At seven minutes in length, "Air" is nothing short of a key track
when put alongside the massive variations of "Marchen". This track is
far more atmospheric and would suit many scenes in any different movies that
would attract tourist attention to something along the lines of Central
Park in New York City. The swirling ambience sounds like wings flapping and the
accordion embarks images of Central Park street performers over at the pond. At
the half-way mark, Gurzuf shake things up a little. It's the sounds and rhythms
you would expect from an Icelandic band, not a Belarusian duo. It evokes so
many images in such a bright style; you could be forgiven for even thinking this
is the work of Sigur Ros.
Marchen is a short album, but it's an album worthy of your time,
effort and of course your money. It doesn’t come as a surprise to find out
Gurzuf has done work for theatrical performances. Their sound is emotional and
throughout Marchen, they sound confident in their ability and
comfortable with where they are at in terms of their career as musicians. This
is one for the OST fanatics and instrumental / classical / post-rock fans who
have an ear for technical structures and well-orchestrated tracks.
~Eddie
