Mementos: Modern Orchestral Music
Keith KRAMER Emerge [20:12]
Stephen YIP (b.1971) Raining in Autumn (1996) [11:17]
Jason BARABBA Conjecture [9:16]
Shawn CROUCH (b.1908) City Columns (1994) [8:56];
Slovak National Philharmonic Orchestra/Kirk Trevor; Moravian Philharmonic
Orchestra/Vit Micka; Ondrej Lebr (violin); Richard Stoltzman (clarinet)
rec. May 2008, Bratislava, Slovakia [1, 3]; December 2008, Olomouc, Czech
Republic [2, 4]. DDD
NAVONA NV5816 [49:57]
This disc contains four contemporary orchestral works by American composers.
Despite the excellent graphic design and a colourful cover, the disc does
not provide sleeve-otes other than composer biographies. It would have been
interesting to learn something about the pieces in the form of a programme
note.
Keith Kramer’s Emerge sets the ball rolling with imaginative orchestral
colours, fascinating textures and evocative harmonies. One can sense the influence
of electronic music in his writing, and there is something of a link to the
spectral style of Murail and others. Kramer makes use of air sounds and col
legno to excellent effect, giving an added dimension to the sound-world.
Structurally the piece works well, too, with enough material to maintain interest
for the twenty minute duration and some of the earlier material returning
towards the end giving a sense of the music having come full circle.
Raining in Autumn by Stephen Yip is a violin concerto with a wonderful
sense of ebb and flow. Yip’s music contains both Chinese and western influences
and makes use of percussion to provide colour to the overall sound. The piece
is in one movement and builds in intensity, breaking into an extended violin
solo. Ondrej Lebr is an excellent soloist, with a beautifully rich tone and
expressive phrasing. This is a well constructed work which takes the listener
on an interesting journey. Highly enjoyable.
Jason Barabba’s Conjecture features clarinet, ably played by Richard
Stoltzman. Barabba’s orchestra accompanies with building textures and careful
balance. Elements of the music remind me of Holst, Stravinsky and others,
but more in terms of the instrumental use and than harmonically. The clarinet
line is plaintive and flows beautifully, floating over the orchestra with
a sense of serenity.
The final work on the disc is Shawn Crouch’s City Columns. This a more
rhythmical work than the others heard here, and the variety is welcomed. Crouch’s
orchestral sound is bright, making good use of the wind and brass section
and creating colours through the use of different mutes and instrumental pairings.
Melodic lines are heard over moving textures and a building rhythmic drive.
This is an enjoyable selection of works with much to offer. These works are
fresh and well-conceived, with some imaginative orchestral writing and some
interesting musical ideas.
Carla Rees