Chamber Music
PGMaudio, 2023
8/10
A listen of chamber and solo pieces that showcases many different techniques, aesthetics and inspirations, Ronald Hannah’s work is fleshed out by some serious players in the Canadian and Austrian scene, and they span nearly half a century of his vision.
“Piano Trio No. 2 ‘The Armenian’" opens the listen with Wolfgang David’s precise violin alongside Christopher Devine’s moody keys in the very descriptive landscape, and “Holland Point Music” follows with Trevor Brandenburg’s lively marimba and William H. Street’s animated sax making for a very cinematic delivery.
Further on, “Concert Piece for Flute & Piano” pairs Shelley Younge’s dreamy flute with Sylvia Shadrick-Taylor’s emotive piano in highly rich, dynamic ways, while “Meditation for Cello & Piano” allows Margaret Gay’s violoncello and Eve Egoyan’s piano to emit much mysterious intimacy.
Arriving near the end, “String Quartet” showcases The Penderecki String Quartet, where Christine Vlajk’s skilled viola and Paul Pulford’s eloquent violoncello won’t go unnoticed, and “Devil's Dance” exits excitedly, as Joanna Ciapka-Sangster’s adventurous violin and Mikolaj Warszynski’s piano dance around each other with incredible interplay.
A listen that can be introspective just as it can be outgoing, both the bare and busy moments here won’t be hard to appreciate, as Hannah’s inestimable work sounds very modern in these very capable hands.
Travels well with: Gregory Lewis- Organ Monk Going Home; Tomas Janzon- Nomadic