Songs For A New Century
Navona, 2024
8/10
Listen to Songs For A New Century
A collection of world premiere recordings of new music commissioned that includes masterpieces by Mendelssohn, Jonathan Miller, Lucia Lin, Randall Hodgekinson and Marc Ryser come together for these 4 lengthy selections.
“Song without Words” opens the listen with Jonathan Miller’s cello and Marc Ryser’s piano interacting with much grace and beauty across the sweeping 6 movements, and “Operetta for Violin and Cello” follows with Lucia Lin’s stunning performance on violin that’s complemented by Miller’s dynamic cello.
“Three Chorales for Cello and Piano” lands in the middle, and uses Randall Hodgkinson’s finger acrobatics that make for much warmth and emotion, while “Cello Sonata #2” exits with Miller’s cello and Ryser’s piano complementing each others’s radiant qualities that are stirring, dreamy and even playful.
The bulk of the project was commissioned by Jonathan Miller and Diane Fassino for the Boston Artists Ensemble, and the chamber, romantic and orchestral vision is fleshed out meticulously.
Travels well with: Lee Hinkle- Modern American Percussion Concerti; Jeff Sigfried/Sean Friar- Shades