Storyteller
Bridge, 2022
8/10
The tuba extraordinaire Justin Benavidez brings us his skills in three new tuba concertos, two recent solos, and excellent transcriptions of works by Gustav Mahler and Claude Debussy across this very well executed listen.
Viet Cuong’s “Concerto For Tuba And Wind Ensemble” opens the listen with bright tuba and atmospheric winds from the Florida State Wind Ensemble, as the setting turns hazy later on, before finishing with much warmth, and “Songs Of A Wayfarer”, by Mahler, moves with much grace and intimacy between the soulful brass and Deloise Lima’s stirring piano.
Further on, Anna Baadsvik’s “New Kid” brings much atmosphere thanks to Benavidez’s poetic prowess and Lima’s articulate keys, while “Prelude From Suite Bergamaque” rumbles a bit amid the firm tuba playing and finger acrobatics on piano in the Debussy original.
The final track, Allen Vizzutti’s “Cityscape For Solo Tuba And Wind Ensemble”, recruits the Florida State University Symphonic Band to the cinematic and dynamic exit that comes entirely too soon.
An often overlooked member of the brass family, Benavidez showcases the rich possibilities and lower registers of the tuba with exceptional attention to detail, and it makes for 80 minutes you’ll want to revisit again.
Travels well with: Rune Most- Flute Concertos; George Walker- Five Piano Sonatas