Show Me The Way
Cedille, 2024
9/10
The baritone Will Liverman and pianist Jonathan King come together for this celebration of women composers and American song, where several guests accompany them through 2 discs of modern classical sounds.
“You Showed Me The Way” starts the listen with Liverman’s expressive pipes and King’s elegant keys making for much mature beauty, and “A Sable Jubilee” follows with flowing keys that suit the powerful singing in the Jasmine Barnes piece.
Further along, Margaret Bonds’ “Four Songs” showcases the incredible range of Liverman amid the meticulous and dreamy keys, while “Ah, love is a jasmine vine,” from Cabildo, op. 149” emits Nicole Cabell’s stunning soprano alongside Lady Jess’ stirring violin and Tahirah Whittington’s elegant cello.
Landing near the end, Sarah Kirkland Snider’s “Everything That Ever Was” presents sublime intimacy thanks to Renée Fleming’s soprano that complements Liverman’s deep delivery, and the upbeat and playful “If I Can Help Somebody” blends the keys and voices with tremendous care and warmth and features an appearance by Terry Liverman, the mother of Will.
A project with plenty of world premieres, Liverman’s beaming performance and King’s sensitive finger prowess keep us very engaged through the entire 87 minutes.
Travels well with: Jonathan Tetelman- The Great Puccini; Yuja Wang- Rachmaninoff