Society Of Composers, Inc. Volume 34
Navona, 2020
8/10
Listen to Society Of Composers, Inc. Volume 34
The 10th album from the Drift series, we’re treated to the works of 10 artists, where a wealth of talent and diversity spreads out with much intrigue.
The animated “Falling Stars” starts the listen with the Ball State University Wind Ensemble’s exciting and unpredictable ideas, and “Chimera” follows with Alex Sopp’s flute and Alicia Lee’s clarinet adding much to the swirling display of the NOW Ensemble’s meticulous execution.
Halfway through, Maria Sampen’s violin and Alistair MacRae’s cello complement Tanya Stambuk’s piano for a moody and gripping climate across “Dark Blessing”, while “Cards” is an electroacoustic composition that uses voices like an instrument, flirts with found object sounds and plenty of minimalism.
Landing near the end, “The Ugly Duckling” allows Elizabeth Pridgen’s charming piano to mesmerize us, and “Hungry” exits with a blending of Elena Hensel’s voice and Bianca Pokrzywa’s guitar for a highly ambient and oddly dreamy finish.
The wide variety of composers and instruments present makes each track here unique in its own space, which has been an important component to this long running series.
Travels well with: Society Of Composers, Inc.- Transition & Apotheosis; Richard Crosby- By The Waters Of Memory