Balladeste

Enter the spellbinding soundworld of Balladeste – the genre-defying duo of violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks. Over the course of a decade, they have crafted a distinctive musical language that seamlessly weaves together contemporary classical, Indian classical, baroque influences and folk traditions into something utterly their own.

Described as “Indo-Baroque meets alt-folk minimalism,”  Balladeste’s music is a rich, contemplative blend of texture and melody – ancient yet modern, devotional yet boldly experimental.  Their original compositions – often referred to as songs without words – draw on influences ranging from Hildegard of Bingen and Arvo Pärt to Philip Glass, the Madras String Quartet, and the Silk Road Ensemble.

Following the critical acclaim of Relic (2017) and Beyond Breath (2021), Balladeste have been featured on BBC Radio 3 In Tune, Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, Soho Radio, and more. Their 2022 Beyond Breath Rework EP spotlighted collaborations with top names in contemporary and jazz, while their 2023 release Conversations in Ritual marked a bold new direction with fully improvised live performances.

Ambient, soulful, and full of quiet power, Balladeste’s live shows are as emotionally resonant as they are musically adventurous. Catch them live as they preview brand-new material ahead of their much-anticipated fourth album release in 2025.

“Narayanan’s and Franks’s collaboration is pure magic… There is nothing remotely quite like it.” — Backseat Mafia

“An extraordinary and beautiful listening experience.” — Folk Radio UK

“A warm summer breeze… showcasing the improvisational talents of this winning string duo.” — The Musician