Inviting Worlds: New Works For Large Ensemble Vol 1
Navona, 2022
8/10
Listen to Inviting Worlds: New Works For Large Ensemble Vol 1
The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Zagreb Festival Orchestra, and National Moravian-Silesian Theater Choir come together here to flesh out a very diverse and dynamic listen that covers the work of several composers in an orchestral, large ensemble setting.
John Wineglass’ “Bonny Doon: From The Misty Redwoods Down To The Mighty Pacific Ocean” opens the listen with much mystery and atmosphere from the Zagreb Festival Orchestra in the very precise, sometimes haunting delivery, and Michael Wittgraf’s very tense and dramatic “A Marriage Of Seasons” follows with incredible fluidity and adventurousness courtesy of the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava.
Elsewhere, “Dark Days” brings together the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian Theatre Choir together for a very expressive, slightly haunting display of intricate orchestration, while “Fantasia: Nocturne” recruits Jakub Černohorský’s violin and Roman Buchal’s flügelhorn for the very busy and soaring mix of strings and brass in the Brian Belet composition.
Deeper still, Liova Bueno’s “Two Moods: Dusk & Carnaval” showcases much dreamy melody in the 2 movements, and William Copper’s “This Full Bowl Of Roses, Part I” exits with plenty of harmonic gestures that weave in and out of gorgeous instrumentation thanks to the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava.
A fascinating listen that explores the dimensions of several talented composers, the ensembles here make for a thoughtful, imaginative and profoundly agile affair.
Travels well with: Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava- Inviting Worlds: New Works For Large Ensemble Vol 2; Mary Howe- Between Us