Transit Voices
Navona, 2021
8/10
The esteemed composer Carl Vollrath focuses on the clarinet here, where themes of the origins of humans and their interactions complement the very mature and meticulous landscape.
“Merging Memories” gets the album off to a soothing start, where Rane Moore’s clarinet and Randall Hodgkinson’s piano work together with both mystery and fascination, and “Testament II” follows with clarinet, cello and piano from Timothy Phillips, Laura Usiskin and Jeremy Samolesky, where much atmosphere and a cinematic quality enters the skilled and restrained setting.
Elsewhere, the aptly titled “Trio For Violin, Clarinet, And Piano” moves with a swift pace as Moore’s woodwind shuffles around the low keys from Hodgkinson and Sharan Leventhal’s violin adds an orchestral angle, while “Testament I” highlights Jonathan Miller’s cello, which is complemented by proficient clarinet and keys.
Closer to the end, “Bela’s Bash” meshes violin, clarinet and keys with precision and playfulness, and “Farewell To A Virgin” exits the listen with just keys and clarinet working alongside with much beauty in a bare but impactful vision.
Vollrath recently penned a record that spotlighted the flute, and here he shows us the many possibilities of the clarinet in a very enjoyable and thoughtful environment.
Travels well with: Lock & Key Vo. II; The Lowell Chamber Orchestra- The Suite