{"id":6835,"date":"2022-06-25T17:19:26","date_gmt":"2022-06-25T16:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.larkreviews.co.uk\/?p=6835"},"modified":"2022-06-25T17:19:26","modified_gmt":"2022-06-25T16:19:26","slug":"cds-june-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/?p=6835","title":{"rendered":"CDs June 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

ZIBUOKLE MARTINAITYTE \u2013 EX TENEBRIS LUX<\/span>
\nPAVEL GIUNTER, percussion ROKAS VAITKEVICIUS, cello<\/span>
\nLITHUANIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, KAROLIS VARIAKOJIS, conductor<\/span>
\nONDINE ODE 1403-2\u00a0 75\u201916<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the second release from Ondine of works by Zibuokle Martinaityte, here focussing on works for strings. Born in Lithuania and now living in New York, it is possible to draw parallels in her writing with Eastern European independent thinkers Arvo Part and Henryk Gorecki. Despite the limited resources there is much variety in timbre and the slow moving, gradually unfolding music still has moments of surprise and heightened intensity. The opening piece, Nunc fluens. nunc stans., <\/em>was written in 2020 as a direct response to the pandemic. The title roughly translates \u201cthe now that passes creates time; the now that remains creates eternity\u201d. The work from which the CD takes its title was written slightly later, completed in 2021, is also written as a response to Covid -19. The final work, Sielunmaisema <\/em>(\u201cSoul-landscape, a particular place that a person carries deep in the heart and returns to often in memory\u201d) was written in 2019 and is the longest work here. It reflects on the passing of the year, with four season-inspired movements.<\/p>\n

UN MILAGO DE FE \u2013 A MIRACLE OF FAITH<\/span>
\nMUSIC BY BEATRIZ BILBAO, ARIEL RAMIREZ, MARY LOU WILLIAMS <\/span>
\n& OSVALDO GOLIJOV<\/span>
\nBORDER CROSSING choir & instrumental ensembles<\/span>
\nAHMED ANZALDUA, conductor<\/span>
\nBRIDGE 9568\u00a0 59\u201957<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very well thought out presentation of music of faith from Latin America. There are some really exuberant moments as well as some more reflective passages and many contrasting sounds from voices, percussion, piano and string bass. I found the whole CD quite energising and loved the blending of the now well-known Misa Criolla <\/em>(-Ramirez) with Mary Lou Williams\u2019 St Martin de Porres<\/em>, two pieces by Osvaldo Golijov and the no-holds barred Fiesta de San Juan <\/em>by Beatriz Bilbao which opens the CD.<\/p>\n

JAMES KALLENBACH \u2013 ANTIGONE<\/span>
\nThe Writings of Sophie Scholl & the White Rose Movement<\/span>
\nLORELEI ENSEMBLE<\/span>
\nBETH WILLER, conductor<\/span>
\nNEW FOCUS RECORDINGS FCR333\u00a0 36\u201942<\/span><\/p>\n

It took me a while to appreciate the concept and structure of this new choral work. Having done so I can see how well crafted it is. The blending of the ancient Greek drama – Sophocles\u2019 Antigone <\/em>with the words of Sophie Scholl, writing as a nonviolent resistance campaigner in Germany during the 2nd<\/sup> World War in new choral settings by James Kallembach is very effective. The voices blend very well and the whole presentation is superb. I intend now to spend more time with text and recording as well as perhaps doing a little historical research in order to gain a greater understanding of the source material and the timeless message they contain.<\/p>\n

OPALESCENT<\/span>
\nLOS ANGELES GUITAR QUINTET<\/span>
\nLAGQ RECORDS LAGQ 0322\u00a0 57\u201925<\/span><\/p>\n

A gently arresting release of music that can transport the listener to other realms! Like the \u2018thin places\u2019 to be found in the landscape this music seems to point to more profound realities and this is reflected in many of the titles here, by a number of contemporary composers. Beginning with Andrew York\u2019s Hidden Realm of Light <\/em>and including Aerial Boundaries <\/em>by Michael Hedges there are also works by Kevin Callahan, Frederic Hand and Robert Beaser. The whole. Project centres around two works by Philip Houghton \u2013 Opals <\/em>and Wave Radiance<\/em>. Tilman Hoppstock\u2019s Suite Transcendent <\/em>completes the programme. Beautiful.<\/p>\n

MY LAI\u00a0 – Music \u2013 JONATHAN BERGER\u00a0 Libretto \u2013 HARRIET SCOTT CHESSMAN<\/span>
\nKRONOS QUARTET<\/span>
\nVAN-ANH VANESSA VO, t\u2019rung, dan bau, dan tranh<\/span>
\nRINDE ECKERT, vocalist<\/span>
\nSMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS SFW CD 40251<\/span><\/p>\n

Written 50 years after the tragic events in Vietnam this opera looks back through the eyes of heroic American helicopter pilot, Hugh Thompson jr, who intervened to try to stop the American massacre of innocent people. as he is dying of cancer in 2005. This is a remarkable piece of music and drama, allowing the enormity and the far-reaching imact of the tragedy to be displayed. Blending traditional Vietnamese compositional styles and instrumentation with western opera as well as material from the Jewish Kaddish and the traditional spiritual My Lord, what a morning, <\/em>this is a moving, deeply spiritual piece. It tells of the horror of war, the inhumanity shown to many on the one hand and the bravery and rightness of an individual who will take a stand for justice and compassion. The juxtaposition of elements of a gameshow serve as a jarring indictment of the events that took place. A fine recording and wonderful presentation with extensive booklet notes including much historical background material including a complete list of names as a memorial for each of the 504 people killed in the My Lai massacre. Profoundly moving.<\/p>\n

SOLUS ET UNA<\/span>
\nAMIT PELED, cello<\/span>
\nMOUNT VERNON VIRTUOSI CELLO GANG<\/span>
\nALLISON FREEMAN, piano<\/span>
\nCTM CLASSICS<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bach cello suites have a very special spacious quality which has ensured that performers and listeners return to them again and again. It is always good to hear fresh performances as these recently recorded and released by Amit Peled. As with a number of other recent CDs in the sleeve notes there is mention of that yearning for going beyond ourselves to find something bigger, something more, the source of inspiration and resilience. The two solo (Solus<\/em>) items here are the Cello Suites No 4 in E flat major and No 5 in C minor. <\/em>Included after these is the Una <\/em>\u00a0– a recording of Amit Peled with his cello ensemble and an arrangement for 8 cellos and piano of the Andante <\/em>from Brahms\u2019 Symphony No 3<\/em>.<\/p>\n

THE POOR BRANCH\u00a0 – 19TH<\/sup> C GUITAR MUSIC BY IVAN KLINGER<\/span>
\nJAMES AKERS, guitar<\/span>
\nRESONUS RES10302\u00a0 64\u201918<\/span><\/p>\n

This release of premiere recordings of guitar music by Klinger (1818-1897) is lovely. There is a timeless quality to the sounds of a solo guitar and here, in original compositions and arrangements, this music, from an area now part of Ukraine, this music from a relatively obscure composer has been given new life by James Akers who seems very at home with it. An enjoyable release.<\/p>\n

THESE DISTANCES BETWEEN US \u2013 21st<\/sup>\u00a0 C SONGS OF LONGING<\/span>
\nMUSICAL SETTINGS BY BRANDWEIN, HILL, RUDMAN AND SANTORE<\/span>
\nEMILY JAWORSKI KORIATH, mezzo, TAD KORIATH, piano<\/span>
\nJONATHAN SANTORE & CRAIG BRANDWEIN, computer generated electronics<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.559908\u00a0 64\u201952<\/span><\/p>\n

Part of the Naxos American Classics strand this is a fascinating compilation of songs from from four contemporary American composers of texts by varied authors including Amy Lowell, John Charles McNeill, Sulpicia & Rilke. There is well developed rapport between the performers and Emily\u2019s wider work includes specialism in electro-acoustic music for voice which is represented by the additional electronics provided by two of the composers. A welcome addition to recordings of this developing repertoire.<\/p>\n

FERNANDO LOPES-GRACA: DIVERTIMENTO \u2013 SINFONIETA \u2013 CINCO VELHOS ROMANCES PORTUGUESES \u2013 QUATRO INVENCOES<\/span>
\nPORTUGUESE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, BRUNO BORRALHINHO, conductor<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.574373\u00a0 63\u201925<\/span><\/p>\n

This bold, inventive music sounds fresh and invigorating in this latest release of the Portuguese composer\u2019s work. There is much variety of orchestration and rhythm throughout. The performances of each of these four medium length pieces bring much to enjoy.<\/p>\n

ADOLF BARJANSKY \u2013 COMPLETE PIANO WORKS\u00a0 2<\/span>
\nJULIA SEVERUS, piano<\/span>
\nGRAND PIANO GP881 64\u201911<\/span><\/p>\n

I continue to really enjoy these single composer volumes from Grand Piano. Here is mostly virtuoso music in the 2nd<\/sup> volume of Odessan late 19th<\/sup> century composer Adolf Barjansky. Writing in late romantic style, this is music written on a grand scale, much of it not for the feint-hearted as piano and performer are given a good work out in inventive music that is often lively and with much depth. Piano Sonatas 2 & 3<\/em> are linked with his Moderato<\/em>.<\/p>\n

TAKASHI YOSHIMATSU \u2013 PIANO WORKS FOR THE LEFT HAND<\/span>
\nYUMIKO OSHIMA-RYAN, piano<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.579121\u00a0 51\u201931<\/span><\/p>\n

The world of one handed piano music is a very inspiring place indeed. It never ceases to amaze me how listening to some of this repertoire, born out of adversity, it is often impossible to tell that only one hand is being used. Here we have some very contrasting music written by contemporary Japanese composer which spans the sound reminiscent of reflective film scores to rock, blues, tango and boogie-woogie. A great set of recordings of wonderful performances of this rarefied music that deserves to be heard and recognised more widely.<\/p>\n

TAN DUN \u2013 PIANO MUSIC<\/span>
\nRALPH VAN RAAT, piano<\/span>
\nNAXOS\u00a0 8.570621\u00a0 73\u201906<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a very welcome release of music which is influenced by both Chinese and Western musical traditions, more recent musical developments and older traditions. Blue Orchid <\/em>is a variation on Beethoven\u2019s Diabelli Variations<\/em>. The Film Music Sonata <\/em>uses the composer\u2019s own material for the soundtrack to the film, The Banquet<\/em>. The Fire <\/em>and Traces <\/em>together show very different approaches to composition, one being a very virtuosic piece, the other making much use of silence. Tan Dun\u2019s tribute to his teacher, C-A-G-E (In Memory of John Cage) <\/em>makes references back to the timbres of the prepared piano and the opening work Eight Memories in Watercolour <\/em>is a series of miniatures based on elements of the natural world and our place within it. A lovely collection.<\/p>\n

ALAN HOVHANESS \u2013 PIANO WORKS VOL 2<\/span>
\nALESSANDRA POMPILI, PIANO<\/span>
\nDYNAMIC CDS7946\u00a0 56\u201908<\/span><\/p>\n

The subtitle to this volume is \u201cJourneying over land and through space\u201d and all the pieces here are evocations of particular places with some very distinctive sounds reflecting different traditions. The three longest works are Komachi <\/em>(evoking natural sounds of Japan), the premiere recording of Greek Rhapsody No 1 <\/em>and Sonata: Journey to Arcturus. <\/em>Hovhaness\u2019 orchestral music is much more widely known than his piano repertoire so it is good to have this 2nd<\/sup> volume available now.<\/em><\/p>\n

SELIM PALMGREN \u2013 COMPLETE PIANO WORKS 5<\/span>
\nJOUNI SOMERO, piano<\/span>
\nGRAND PIANO GP908\u00a0 78\u201907<\/span><\/p>\n

This survey of Palmgren\u2019s piano music continues with another release of neglected gems in a variety of styles and moods. A number of the pieces here are recorded for the first time including the opening Exotisk Marsch <\/em>with its evocation of things \u2018oriental\u2019. Lots to explore and enjoy.<\/p>\n

TREVOR DUNCAN \u2013 BRITISH LIGHT MUSIC 8<\/span>
\nSLOVAK RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, ANDREW PENNY, conductor<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.555192 \u00a068\u201927<\/span><\/p>\n

I have made no secret of really enjoying previous volumes of this series from Naxos. Trevor Duncan was another prolific composer of so-called light music but is known today almost exclusively for his A Little Suite, <\/em>which became well-known as the the source of the theme tune for the television series Dr Finlay\u2019s Casebook<\/em>. It is included here alongside many lesser known but equally well crafted pieces where melody is always to the fore. Encore!<\/p>\n

BORIS LYATOSHYNSKY \u2013 COMPLETE SYMPHONIES<\/span>
\nUKRAINIAN STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, THEODORE KUCHAR, conductor<\/span>
\nNAXOS 8.503303 (3 CDs) 188\u201920<\/span><\/p>\n

A timely release of these repackaged recordings from the 90s here we have the complete symphonies of the composer regarded as the father of 20th century Ukrainian music. In these times of war there is rightly a focus on the culture of this country. This is substantial music which was written at a time when it was often difficult to speak with an original voice. Lyatoshynsky\u2019s work brought him into conflict with the authorities. There is much emotion and variety of colour in this music which straddles later romantic and modernist movements. An important release which reminds us of our often limited knowledge of musical geography.<\/p>\n

\n

SP<\/p>\n

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ZIBUOKLE MARTINAITYTE \u2013 EX TENEBRIS LUX PAVEL GIUNTER, percussion ROKAS VAITKEVICIUS, cello LITHUANIAN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, KAROLIS VARIAKOJIS, conductor ONDINE ODE 1403-2\u00a0 75\u201916 This is the second release from Ondine of works by Zibuokle Martinaityte, here focussing on works for strings. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6835"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6835"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6836,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6835\/revisions\/6836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.larkreviews.wickedlemon.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}