Fleeting Realms: Chamber Works, Vol. 2
Navona, 2021
8/10
Listen to Fleeting Realms: Chamber Works, Vol. 2
A very diverse listen that draws from 6 different composers who are versed in classic literature, elemental energy, modern culture, and historical tragedy, Fleeting Realms examines the human experience with its timeless, chamber filled sounds
Isak Roux’s “Piano Trio Number 1” gets the listen off to an initially firm start that segues into soaring violin and cello alongside Randall Hodgkinson’s very skilled piano, and Mark Zanter’s “Earth Endures; Stars Abide” follows with sublime cello from Dimitris Travlos amid Kostas Tzekos’ very precise clarinet prowess in the dreamy climate.
Deeper into the listen, “Frogs Always Get You In The End” benefits from Aliana de la Guardia’s strong soprano, Brian Church’s alluring baritone and Jessica Lizak’s airy flute, while “Sonata Per Violino E Violoncello In Due Spazi” pairs Peter Sulski’s violin with Jacques Wood’s cello in the stirring and eloquent album highlight.
The album exits on the 8 movements of Marvin J Carlton’s “James Joyce Song Cycle”, which displays de la Guaradia’s versatile pipes alongside Stephen Marotto’s delicate cello and Yoko Hagino’s graceful piano that highlights the vivid storytelling.
Essential listen for the chamber friendly ears of past and present, this installment of Fleeting Realms certainly continues the Navona label’s consistent output of articulate and commanding music in the area of classical, orchestral and chamber arrangements.
Travels well with: Various Artists- Sustain Vol. 2; Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra- Prisma Vol. 5: Contemporary Works For Orchestra