Intimes Exubérances
Redshift, 2024
8/10
The revered Montréal-based composer Patrick Giguère and inimitable pianist-interpreter Cheryl Duvall come together for these tender solo piano pieces that are both touching and thought provoking.
“Part I — à la frontière de l'intangible” leads the listen with the soft, emotive keys that abruptly shift to firmer layers of expressive finger acrobatics, and “Part II — tisser le present” follows with a distinct dreaminess that has the mesmerizing piano radiating warmth.
The back half of the record brings the rumbling and louder presence of “Part III — corps, hors du temps”, where the unpredictable 10 minutes is the album’s best, while “Part IV — lueurs en voix” finds itself in intimate areas of reflection, as the setting allows for brighter moments amid the soft backdrop.
A exciting and enlightening display of modern classical ideas, Duvall and Giguére’s skills unfold with melodic and harmonic sensibilities that shift in tone and mood via much intrigue and memorableness.
Travels well with: Allison Burik- Realm; India Gailey- Problematica