Musical Images For Chamber Orchestra: Reflections & Recollections Vol. 2
Navona, 2020
8/10
Listen to Musical Images For Chamber Orchestra: Reflections & Recollections Vol. 2
Mark John McEncroe impressed me with his first installment of Musical Images For Chamber Orchestra, and this 2nd venture, recorded in the Czech Republic, brings 11 new piano works by McEncroe that are performed by the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra.
“Daybreak” starts the album with sweeping melody in the graceful, orchestral setting, and this continues to the sophisticated beauty and soaring moments of “Cindy’s Song”, as well as the twinkling textures of “A Rainy Summer’s Day”.
Deeper tracks bring us the playful and tense “Dance Of The Pagans”, while the soothing quality of “Fleeting Images”nearly get meditative. Near the end, “Fading Memories” moves with a cinematic quality of sublime instrumentation, and “Shimmering Lights” ends the listen with nearly 12 minutes of skilled and precise sounds from the esteemed orchestra.
A rich, moving and exciting performance, McEncroe’s work touches on the human experience with a universal spirit, and it’s good to know that volumes 3 and 4 are currently in progress.
Travels well with: Prisma Vol. 3- Contemporary Works For Orchestra; Apollo Chamber Players- Within Earth