Brush Strokes
Navona, 2020
8/10
The trio of Alison Brown Sincoff (flute), Michele Fiala (oboe) and Matthew Morris (bassoon), Brush Strokes offers us 6 pieces by 6 different composers here, where the 3 instruments act like paint brushes across the varied and often lush canvas of these timeless arrangements.
Clyde Thompson’s “Four Miniatures For Woodwind Trio” starts the listen with 4 quick blasts of upbeat and playful woodwind tunes that also has the capacity to move soft and with much agility, and “Brush Strokes”, by Alyssa Morris, follows with cautious, gorgeous interplay across the 4 movements that blends the flute, oboe and bassoon with much intimacy.
In the middle, “Three Rondos For Wind Trio” glides with a cinematic approach of subdued, dreamy instrumentation, while Robbie McCarthy’s “The Blind Men And The Elephant” illustrates a very detailed and precise execution where spoken word leads each movement.
Eduardo Grau’s “Trio De La Fiesta Mayor” exits the listen with no shortage of swirling melodies as well as calm, reflective moments of beauty as the pretty finish recalls the festival music that resonates in Spanish villages.
A listen that is often rooted in Latin-American traditions, the 3 artists accomplish much variety with their respective instruments on this unpredictable and glowing body of work.
Travels well with: Michael J. Evans- The Adventures Of Florian; Shuying Li- World Map