Between Breath
New Focus, 2024
9/10
The inimitable composer Scott Wollschleger is joined by Miranda Cuckson, Duo andPlay, Lucy Dhegrae, Anne Rainwater, Nathaniel LaNasa and William Lang for these 4 distinct, commissioned pieces.
“Violain” opens with the quivering strings from Maya Bennardo’s violin and Hannah Levinson’s viola that bring both wonder and awe to the manipulated sounds, and “Between Breath” follows with Rainwater’s strategic keys and Lang’s Trombone that’s structured to sound like ambient noise.
The back half brings us “Anyway, where threads go, it all goes well” and “Secret Machine no. 7”. The former benefits much from Dhegrae’s soaring soprano and LaNasa’s mysterious keys, while the latter uses Cuckson’s distinct violin that carries sci-fi qualities.
This is Wollschleger’s 4th portrait album, and like everything he’s done it’s a dynamic and sonic adventure of both intense and serene moments that collide with atypical and fascinating sounds.
Travels well with: Orlando Jacinto García- La Vida Que Vendra; Yi-Ting Lu- An Unopened Seashell