Momentum
Azica, 2022
8/10
This 2nd album from the cellist Miriam K. Smith was recorded when she was just 15 years old, and it features the work of Prokofiev, Stravinsky, and Boulanger, and includes help from the Steinway artist Sanrda Wright Shen.
Prokofiev’s “Cello Sonata In C Major, Op. 119” starts the listen with Smith’s warmly bowed cello and Shen’s soft, stirring keys that get playful further on, and complement the flowing strings deeper into the piece.
The middle track belongs to Stravinsky’s “Suite Italienne”, where the keys dance around the very charming cello, and strong attention to mood and tone is present and appreciated in the diverse movements.
The final track, Boulanger’s “Trois Piéces pour violoncelle et piano”, is quite intimate, where the twinkling piano and emotive string prowess makes an indelible impression of beauty and grace.
Smith’s interpretations are incredibly well done, and despite her age she plays like a seasoned vet. Shen’s precise keys certainly add much more intrigue to this effort, as the youngster highlights some of the 20th centuries best composers.
Travels well with: Apollo Chamber Players- MoonStrike; Palaver Strings- Ready Or Not