Bowed Colors 2
Navona, 2023
8/10
The violist Brett Deubner takes on a substantial project here, where these Bach inspired tunes that are occasionally in the presence of Allison Brewster Franzetti’s piano make for 7 thoughtful pieces.
The listen starts with Paul Osterfield’s “Ablaze”, where Deubner’s stunning string acrobatics are executed with much intrigue, and “Longitude”, by Sean Hickey, has the viola and piano making for an intimate and stirring interaction of warmth.
In the middle, “Suite” unfolds across 3 chapters of cautious and precise playing from Deubner that illuminates Joseph Gregorio’s vision with much care, while the playful “Suite For Viola And Piano” has the pair illustrating a dynamic, collaborative appeal that’s both tense and bright in the Christopher Jessup original.
Approaching the end, Heidi Jacob’s “Metamorphosis I” isn’t short on atmosphere, where Brewster Franzetti’s key acrobatics are mesmerizing against the meticulously bowed strings, and “Short/Suite” exits with Jonathan Sheffer’s vision emitting complicated but accessible progressions from the viola.
A listen that explores chamber, baroque and solo settings with much fluidity, this is a robust body of work that’s superbly meticulous and possesses much agility to be enjoyed.
Travels well with: Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge 3; Music Of Debra Kaye- Ikarus Among The Stars