Between Sea And Sky
Furious Artisans, 2022
8/10
An educator, writer, musician and composer, the multi-talented David Loeb brings us compositions dating as far back as 1978 here, and he’s got some exceptional help with him for the unique chamber experience.
“Five Fantasies For The Japanese Consort” opens the listen with the Yukimi Kambe Viol Consort displaying incredible string interaction across the 5 segments that also welcomes unorthodox percussive sounds, and “Fantasia On A Rondeau Of Dufay” follows with calm, intimate guitars from Vilian Ivantchev and Daniel Lewis.
Further on, in “Yaku (Night Crossroads)”, Kohei Nishikawa’s flute and shinobue skills shine in the very meticulous, moody piece, while “Arrieta” welcomes Terry Chaplin’s guitar and Sabena Torosjian’s violin to a very stirring, soothing album highlight.
The title track arrives near the end, and showcases the sublime talent of the Six Hand Guitar Trio in the very precise execution, and The Netherlands Clarinet Quartet populate the final track, “Het Nieuwe Madrigaalboek”, and showcases an incredible wind performance that is so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission.
A very diverse body of work, classical, orchestral and chamber ideas are all in attendance, and it’s no surprise that over 100 of Loeb’s compositions have graced 20+ records. Now well into his 80’s, his work is clearly not showing any signs of wavering, as evidenced by this exceptional listen.
Travels well with: Michael Leonhart Orchestra- The Normyn Suites; The Adam Larson Trio- With Love, From Chicago