River Of Music
Decca, 2025
9/10
This 2nd album from the 7 musicians of The Kanneh-Masons family surrounds the deep musical roots that run through their heritage, and are executed with diversity and strong attention to detail.
“Coleridge-Taylor: Deep River” opens with the warm piano and gorgeous strings that tug on the heartstrings, and “Ar Lan y Môr” follows with gentle emotion via the plucked strings and glowing keys that builds into a powerful climate.
Landing in the middle, “Sospiri, Op. 70” showcases the stirring violins amid the poetic keys, while “Consolations, S. 172: No. 3 in D-Flat Major. Lento, placido” swirls with an infectious intimacy that’s mesmerizing in its calm demeanor.
Arriving near the end, “Rusalka, Op. 114, B. 203: Song to the Moon” makes great use of the lovely cello alongside the gorgeous atmosphere, and “Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667 "Trout Quintet"“ exits with 5 movements that can be animated just as they can be rich and even lush with sublime string interaction.
The interpretations here are handled very well, where each player’s inimitable talents shine across the Welsh folk songs and spirituals, as well as the classical favorites.
Travels well with: Lise Davidsen- Der fliegende Holländer; Alice Sara Ott- John Field: Complete Nocturnes