À la manière
Bridge, 2023
8/10
The skilled trombonist Mark Davidson performs the work of 4 diverse composers, and he’s got Viktor Valkov (winner of the New Orleans International Piano Competition) along with him for the expressive listen.
Jean-Michel Defaye’s “À la manière de Schumann” begins the listen with the flowing keys and emotive brass making for much beauty and warmth, and it isn’t long until Ferdinand David’s “Concertino” unfolds with elegant piano and the animated trombone making for a glorious presence.
On the back half, the frisky “Counterplay” has the keys in a lower register amid the unpredictable brass for the quirky Luke Dahn original, while Paul Hindemith’s “Sonatas” exits with a stirring intimacy that meshes the atmospheric keys with booming trombone.
A record that gives us much insight into what a trombone is capable of, Davidson’s playing is exciting and flawless, and Valkov’s contributions won’t go unnoticed either.
Travels well with: Ursula Mamlok- Vol. 6; William Bland- Piano Sonatas, Vol. 2