Rituals: Art Songs By Charles Ives, Reynaldo Hahn, and William Bolcom
Acis, 2026
9/10
Listen to Rituals: Art Songs By Charles Ives, Reynaldo Hahn, and William Bolcom
The soprano Laura Choi Stuart and pianist Tanya Blaich come together for these sublime pieces that were recorded in the New England Conservatory’s famed Jordan Hall, where the technical and powerful selections surround many aspects of human life.
Ives’ “The Things our Fathers Loved” starts the listen with the soaring vocals and intimate keys meeting at a very warm place the builds into an emotive delivery, and “West London”, also by Ives, arrive soon after with expressive singing and a charming balance of firm and cozy piano playing.
Further along, “Études latines”, by Hahn, unfolds across 7 movements of adaptable keys that suit the heartfelt singing and timeless storytelling, while Bolcom’s “Briefly It Ends” spans 9 chapters and has Stuart hitting some pretty high notes amid the precise and rich key progressions.
“Cabaret Songs” exits, whic is also by Bolcom, and it illustrates the duo’s distinct interaction that’s timeless and cautious.
A highly calculated effort with tremendous clarity, Stuart and Blaich explore love, life and death with attentiveness to the American and Parisian songs that are nothing short of elegant.
Travels well with: James Limerick Kerr- Lute Fantasias Of Molinaro; Reena Esmail- Exaltations