Pinnacle Vol. 2: Contemporary Chamber Words
Navona, 2021
8/10
Listen to Pinnacle Vol. 2: Contemporary Chamber Words
A collection of 8 composers who bring their modern chamber ideas to themes about the cycle of life and nature, this second installment in the Pinnacle series cultivates plenty of melodies, as the compositions explore classical and orchestral ideas with many esteemed players contributing their talents.
Kong-Yu Wong’s “A Moon Of Own” starts the listen and brings Gabriela Diaz’s sublime violin and Yoko Hagino’s precise piano to a very intimate and warm setting, and “String Quartet ‘Euphoria’” follows with violins, viola and cello dancing around each other with much skill and adventurousness in the Santiago Kodela song.
Further on, John A. Corollo’s “Piano Etude No. 2 ‘Sightless’” showcases Lucie Kaucká’s agile and diverse skills in the bare but also swift moments, while “String Quartet No. 1 ‘Nile’” utilizes strings in playful, dynamic ways that illustrate much emotion and versatility.
Deeper still, Sarah Wallin Huff’s “DodecaFunky” blends Sarah Brady’s charming flute with Hagino’s fluid piano on the album highlight that’s both dreamy and bouncy, and “Armenian Stirrings” finishes the listen with Rana Moore’s clarinet and Hagino’s keys meeting at a very soothing intersection of nearly meditative synergy between the pair.
Although each composition here is uniquely different, they flow seamless from one to the next, and are sure to resonate well with anyone who enjoys contemporary chamber sounds.
Travels well with: Various Artists- Polarities Vol. 2; Various Artists- Sustain Vol. 2