Prisma Vol. 5: Contemporary Works For Orchestra
Navona, 2021
8/10
Listen to Prisma Vol. 5: Contemporary Works For Orchestra
The Prisma series continues with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra’s sublime contributions, where Jiří Petrdlík and Stanislav Vavřínek take the position of conductor across imaginative performances by 7 diverse composers.
“Adagio Of Times And Seasons”, by Lawrence Mumford, starts the listen gentle and warm, where glorious stings and a soaring spirit radiate much grace, and Kevin McCarter’s “All Along” follows and emits flowing melody and much beauty.
In the middle, “A Kiss In The Dark” places a romantic approach to the Samantha Sack composition, while “Bell And Drum Tower” moves more firmly, where rumbling drums and a majestic demeanor also recruit a cinematic quality amid the Alexis Alrich song.
Deeper still, “Nunatak” resides in calmer territory via sophistication and elegance as the ensemble do justice to the Katherine Saxon original, and “This Full Bowl Of Roses Part III” finishes the listen steeped in intimacy and exploration that highlights the vision of William Copper.
Like every installment in this series, there’s much complexity to be absorbed, but it’s all laid out with an inviting and universally embraceable originality in the area of orchestral music that you’re not going to hear anywhere else.
Travels well with: Prisma Vol. 3; Anne Neikirk- Spring Shadows