Dear Mrs. Kennedy
Sono Luminus, 2024
9/10
The esteemed tenor Ryan Townsend Strand is in the company of Karina Kontorovitch’s elegant piano for these songs that give voice to the letters sent to Jacqueline Kennedy following the death of her husband, John F. Kennedy.
“Oh Jacqueline: Processional’, by Augusta Read Thomas, starts the listen with rumbling keys and much atmosphere, as Strand’s flawless pipes enter with much emotion, and Tom Cipullo’s “A Litany Of Sympathy” follows with swift versus bare piano, which is met with flowing and powerful singing.
The title track lands in the middle, and emits much beauty from Kontorovitch’s finger acrobatics and the poetic singing via the Adore Alexander piece, while Will Liverman’s “A Tribute To Mr. J.F.K.” is the album’s best, where eloquent piano and gorgeous singing tugs on the heartstrings.
Approaching the end, “Thanksgiving Day, 1963”, by Timothy C. Takach, isn’t lacking melody of expressiveness from the pair’s inimitable talents, and “Oh Jacqueline: Recessional” exits and extends from the opening track, as mood is key and a distinct denseness is met with unparalleled vocals.
A project that safely illuminates the conversation of grief and the enormity of human connection, Strand and Kontorovitch’s performances are tremendous, and the entire focus of the project is much needed during these often difficult times.
Travels well with: Elizabeth Robinson- Aviary; Michael Mizrahi- Dreamscape