Four Generations
Navona, 2025
8/10
The cellist Patrick Moore and pianist Andrew Staupe come together for 4 diverse works from 4 esteemed composers that cover a lot of territory.
“Élégie for Violoncello and Piano” opens, and pairs the tense strings with dense keys in the Darius Milhaud piece, and “Sonata No. 1 for Violoncello and Piano” follows with the moody cello alongside the firm keys that make for a cinematic appeal thanks to William Bolcom’s vision.
Arthur Gottschalk’s “Sonata for Cello and Piano: In Memoriam” lands on the back half and showcases a distinct intimacy between Moore and Staupe, while“Dreams and Hallucinations for Cello and Piano”, by Karl Blench, offers a turbulent and animated album highlight, where the jarring keys and haunting strings make an impression.
A record with much emotion that celebrates how mentorship aids in creativity and continuity in classical music, there is much color and dimension to appreciate via these timeless chamber selections.
Travels well with: Angélica Negrón- Pedacito De Tierra; Nicholas Goluses- Across The Horizon