American Tapestry
Tonsehen, 2026
9/10
The pianist Orli Shaham and the Pacific Symphony present chamber music by living Americans, where many world premieres illustrate incredible chemistry between the artists.
Viet Cuong’s “Wax And Wire” starts the listen with Joshua Ranz’s animated clarinet complementing Shaham’s lively keys via the cinematic climate, and “Saans” follows with a gentle spirit amid Dennis Kim’s elegant violin that suits the dreamy piano of the Reena Esmail piece.
In the middle, Avner Dorman’s “Sextet” flows across 4 chapters of pounding keys and Richard Cassarino’s rumbling bass that leads into calm moments of soft trumpet from Tony Ellis, while “The Currents”, by Sarah Kirkland Shider, is just Shaham’s meticulous keys which radiate tremendous grace and color.
“Peace” and “Margaret Brouwer” exit the listen. The former, by Jessie Montgomery, pairs Shaham’s lush keys with Kim’s stirring violin, and the latter, by Margaret Brouwer, enlists Benjamin Smolen’s flute, Warren Hagerty’s cello, Kim’s violin and Shaham’s piano to cultivate a curious and unpredictable finish.
An accomplished effort where each track takes on its own identity, Shaham and company more than keep our attention from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Frank Morelli- From The Soul; Inbal Megiddo- Bach Cello Suites