Down Beat (9/96, p.58) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "...The Balanescu Quartet is well integrated, playing with urgency and passion. Abou-Khalil's solos are frequently dark and searching..."
JazzTimes (11/96, p.75) - "...where earlier projects veered towards the jazz tradition, it's another story on the enthralling ARABIAN WALTZ, an album at once more close to his heritage and further afield....Jazz is never too far from this oud player's mind: nor is the idea of bounding over barriers."
Option (9-10/96, pp.116-117) - "...draws heavily upon...Middle-Eastern heritage...although Western-style counterpoint and harmony is used selectively and effectively....Seldom does a recording appear which seems to be perfect...both in concept and execution, but ARABIAN WALTZ certainly approaches such lofty heights..."
Personnel: Rabih Abou-Khalil (oud); Michel Goddard (tuba, serpent); Nabil Khaiat (frame drums).
The Balanescu Quartet: Alexander Balanescu, Clare Connors (violin); Paul Martin (viola); David Cunliffe (cello).
Producers: Rabih Abou-Khalil, Alexander Balanescu, Walter Quintus.
Recorded at SWF Studio, Baden Baden, Germany in September, 1995 and at CMP Studio, Zerkall, Germany in December 1995. Includes liner notes by Geoff Dyer, Bernard Aime and Harry Lachner.