Dark Mountains/Distant Lights
New Focus, 2019
9/10
Listen to Dark Mountains/Distant Lights
The inimitable composer Louis Karchin injects aspects of poetry, the visual arts and the natural world into these 7 diverse and rich selections via Miranda Cuckson, Steven Beck and Jacqueline Leclair’s refined skills.
“Dreamscape”, by Stéphane Mallarmé, opens the listen with the curious oboe and animated violin the presents much color, and “Rhapsody” follows with the tense violin and adventurous keys emitting both mysteriousness and tension.
“Three Epigrams” arrives in the middle, and is a solo piano outing that showcases Beck’s finger acrobatics via rumbling, minimal and firm gestures, while “Lyrics II” continues the solo piano delivery with much intimacy and poeticism.
“Prayer” and “Reflection” are the final 2 pieces. The former allows for Cuckson’s eloquent and gripping violin to shine, and the latter aligns Leclair’s emotive oboe with the quivering strings of the album’s best.
A thoughtful body of work that’s introspective, abstract and often presents contrasting outlooks, the 3 players show complete mastery of their instruments to illuminate Karchin’s distinct vision.
Travels well with: counter)induction- Against Method; Kate Soper- The Hunt