Balladeste

Balladeste.co.uk Balladeste is a unique collaboration between two highly versatile performer/composers - violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks. An ever evolving musical partnership and deep friendship forged over ten years, Balladeste have developed a unique way of co-writing, weaving in and out of each other’s voices as musicians and composers. Exploring the versatility and sound potential of just two string instruments, Balladeste create a musical narrative that is both ancient yet contemporary, devotional whilst pastoral, with original compositions that are vibrant, experimental, melodic and contemplative in quality - songs without words with contemporary alt-folk twist. Forging their path in the ever evolving contemporary classical landscape - Balladeste draw on influences as far ranging as the singular melodies of visionary Hildegard of Bingham, the modal minimalism of Arvo Pärt, harmonic palette of Purcell via the minimalism of Philip Glass, with a musical breadth is equally akin to the likes of Caroline Shaw and Liam Byrne as the Madras String quartet and Silk Road Ensemble. Since releasing their acclaimed 2nd album in 2021 (4* Songlines ) the duo have performed UK's BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour, Radio 3 In Tune , NTS and toured nationally & internationally in diverse locations from festivals, arts centres, jazz/folk clubs, cultural institutions to concert halls. Their 4th album ' Imprints' is set to be released in 2026 Balladeste@gmail.com