Amplify: All Classical Portland’s RII Vol. 1
Navona, 2022
9/10
Listen to Amplify: All Classical Portland’s RII Vol. 1
A listen that addresses the inequities in classical musical, 5 current composers are highlighted here, where their individual techniques and visions are illuminated by strings and keys.
Lauren McCall’s “A Spark And A Glimmer” opens the listen with Caitlin Edwards’ violin, Nancy Ives’ cello and Monica Ohuchi’s piano making for a radiant and meticulous display of charming string interaction and agile keys amid much adventurousness, and “Femmes de légende”, by Mélanie Hélène Bonis, follows with María García’s lone piano making for a very intimate and expressive demeanor across the diverse 7 movements.
Keyla Orozco’s “Souvenirs” occupies the middle spot, and benefits from Inés Voglar Belgique (violin), Keiko Araki (violin), Hillary Oseas (viola), and Nancy Ives (cello), who blend their strings with fascinating dynamics that can be bare and busy, while Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s “Sonata for Flute and Piano” enlists Adam Eccleston (flute) and Monica Ohuchi (piano) for the dreamy versus hectic playing from the pair that is quite captivating.
The final track, and only one that features singing, has Karen Slack’s soprano and Yoko Greeney’s piano making for the firm, rumbling and highly unpredictable “Taking Names”, by Jasmine Barnes.
A landmark release as it’s the 1000th album from the PARMA Organization, this collection does an excellent job of spotlighting modern classical music that we could never tire of.
Travels well with: London Symphony Orchestra- Sparks: Eye Of London; Beth Mehocic- Collected Works Of Beth Mehocic