Miniature Symphonies
Navona, 2022
8/10
Listen to Miniature Symphonies
The conductor Orlando Cela and his Lowell Chamber Orchestra bring us many short pieces from various composers here, and it makes for a very striking chamber and orchestral listen.
Quinn Mason’s “Petite Symphonie de Chambre Contemporaine” starts the listen with flowing strings that emit much warmth and occasionally fall into calm ebbs of beauty amid the busy interaction, and “Symphonie de chambre No. 4, Op. 74”, by Darius Milhaud, finds itself rumbling a bit with firmness alongside the stirring string dynamics.
Further on, Yoko Nakatani’s “La Giclée” glides with a bit of mystery and some dreamy moments, while “Symphonie de chambre No. 5”, a Milhaud original, has the winds making for a very atmospheric, even haunting album highlight. Kevin Scott’s contribution, “second little symphony” arrives near the end and it’s a busy, meticulous and fascinating display of inimitable playing.
An effort that showcases work from France between 1917 and 1922 (Milhaud’s compositions), as well as the remaining contemporary composers, this is a charming listen with brief blasts of stylish and timeless song craft.
Travels well with: Samuel A. Livingston- American Scenes And Other Works For Concert Band; Mary Howe- Between Us