Unseen Paths
Navona, 2024
8/10
The late composer Lawrence K. Moss treats us to 7 varied pieces that unfold across 2 discs of unpredictable and memorable chamber sounds.
“String Quartet No. 5” opens with the Benda Quartet’s exciting strings interacting in playful, cinematic and stirring ways that emit much emotion, and “Clarinet Duo” follows with Rane Moore and Nicholas Brown’s precise clarinets that make for upbeat and animated gestures across 2 chapters.
Further along, “For Flute and Piano” welcomes Jessica Lizak’s flute and Yoko Hagino’s piano that use both lower registers and dreamy bouts for a highly eloquent moment, while “A Life” exits disc 1 with Kadisha Onalbayeva’s stunning piano acrobatics that elicit 12 movements to captivate us.
Disc 2 is largely occupied by “La Serva Padrona”, where Aliana de la Guardia’s soprano, Omar Najmi’s tenor, Brian Church’s baritone and Yoko Hagino’s piano showcase vivid storytelling and powerful singing.
Moss was well regarded for his vision that spanned vocal, instrumental, and electronic works, and his artistic voice lives on here with flute and piano duos, music for string quartet, operas and more.
Travels well with: Voices From The Other Side; Songs For A New Century