Wild Blue Yonder
Navona, 2021
8/10
The Jamaican composer and pianist Eleanor Alberga brings us 4 very diverse and modern chamber pieces here that were penned over 22 years, and she’s got some esteemed help to illuminate the wide range of emotions across the human spectrum.
“No-Man’s-Land Lullaby” opens the listen with Alberga’s dreamy piano alongside Thomas Bowes’ stirring violin as the two interact in sublime, moody ebbs of introspection that extends back to World War I, and “Shining Gate Of Morpheus” follows with Richard Watkins handling horn as the Ensemble Arcadiana brings violin, viola and cello to a triumphant, energetic display of soaring orchestral ideas.
The back half of the listen offers “Succubus Moon” and “The Wild Blue Yonder”, where the former benefits greatly from Nicholas Daniel’s strong oboe presence alongside the cautious string arrangements that are drenched in emotive manipulation that explores the darker points of the human psyche, and the latter exits with just violin and piano emitting both bare beauty and firm moments of exploration.
An ideal soundtrack to these often turbulent times, Alberga delivers a thought provoking and timeless body of work that’s bold, creative and so relevant to the human experience.
Travels well with: Semir Sammy Hasić- No More War It’s Time For Love; Carl Vollrath- Transit Voices