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"... full of arresting and atmospheric textures, featuring unusual instruments ... she is very adept at painting a mood ... the performances are well executed and ECM’s sound is superb." - Gramophone "Ringer of the Week ... at times meditative, other times forlorn, the music takes you on to deep journeys, whether you understand the words or not. Don’t forget, Greeks INVENTED tragedy, so they’ve got it down to perfection. Drink in slowly, like a Retsina." - Jazz Weekly "This is music that speaks to something very deep inside of us, strange music that is (for lack of a better term) very strongly feminine ... perhaps because of this, music that summarizes the psyche and feelings of Medea better than any other I’ve ever heard. Certainly, I have not heard its like in my 63 years." - Fanfare Eleni Karaindrou’s collaborations with stage director Antonis Antypas have generated some of her most powerful material, typified by the pieces on Medea. Recorded at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, the music vibrates with emotional intensity as the small ensemble's sound colours create an ambiance both archaic and contemporary. Textures of santouri, ney, lyra and clarinets are combined and contrasted, implying a broader orchestral scope. The lyrics are movingly sung by a 15-piece chorus and on two pieces, by Karaindrou herself.