Orchard
Neuma, 2022
8/10
The composer Tyler Kline takes on a substantial project here, where he commissions pieces for over a dozen pianists, as themes of fruit are explored across 50 brief tracks.
“yuzu”, by Mijung An, opens the listen with haunting, mysterious keys that are manipulated so delicately and with much beauty, and “mangosteen” follows with a more flowing approach that’s somewhere between intimate and dreamy in Kline’s very capable hands.
Elsewhere, the firm playing of ‘watermelon’ resonates much emotion in his creative vision, while “persimmon” displays a hypnotic approach of an agile progression that’s quite mesmerizing from Grace Huang. “Peach”, one of the album’s best, then shimmers with a radiant glow of cautious melody thanks to Megasari Honggokusuma.
Much further down the line, “ghost pepper” recruits plenty of atmosphere amid the unpredictable climate that uses Christy Sallee’s piano in unconventional ways, and ‘carambola” exits the listen with Kline’s vision of ambience that’s precisely played by Eunmi Ko.
A very diverse and exciting venture, the 14 players on hand each contribute much skill and warmth to the listen, and just like each fruit represented, the different textures, flavors and scents make for a sweet treat for the musical palette.
Travels well with: Daniel Pesca- Promontory; Richard Carr- Over The Ridge