2020 Visions
Navona, 2022
8/10
The Fischer Duo, i.e. Norman Fischer (cello) and Jeanne Kierman Fischer (piano), have been performing together for 50 years, and they celebrate that achievement with these well thought out pieces by William Bolcom, Michael Cohen, Robert Sirota, Hilary Tann, Theo Chandler and Preston Stahly.
Bolcom’s “Second Sonata For Violoncello And Piano” opens the listen with the stirring strings and atmospheric keys making for a very exciting landscape, and “A Song For Silenced Voices”, by Cohen, emits a very expressive tone as the cello and piano interact with much grace, beauty and emotion.
Sirota’s “Family Portraits” arrives in the middle and recruits firmer keys alongside the dancing strings, while Tann's “On Ear And Ear” moves with a very intimate quality of quivering strings and bare, sublime keys.
The final track, Stahly’s “Corona Blue”, flows with a heartfelt interaction between the players, and radiates incredible fluidity and agility.
A very versatile and meticulous outing, the pair bring love, pain, hope and resilience to a listen that truly embraces the strength of their many decades playing together.
Travels well with: Mary Howe- Between Us; Gibbs Street Duo- Memories Unsettled