Sustain Vol. 2
Navona, 2021
9/10
The 2nd installment in the Sustain series, and this one also places focus on the piano as tonality, pitch and execution are all manipulated in a very contemporary fashion from a new cast of composers and performers this time around.
Karen A. Tarlow’s “Toccata Prestidigita” leads with Randall Hodgkinson’s swift and inviting piano prowess that’s not short on melody, and “Caprice-Hesitation” follows with Lucie Kaucka on keys as much elegance and playfulness surrounds the Chen-Hsin Su original.
Elsewhere, “Leaves” displays Hodgkinson’s softer side as sublime beauty enters the Ron Nagorcka composition, while “The Journey Is My Home”, also by Nagorcka, emits both intimacy and exploration from Hodkinson’s very capable playing. “The Reluctant Carnie”, one of the standout tracks, then recruits Kaucka’s precise finger acrobatics amid much flowing grace.
Closer to the end, “Toccata (Short ‘N Sweet)” is a brief, glorious delivery of dizzying playing from Kaucka, and “Bewildered Soliloquies” exits the listen with violin, cello and keys working together synergistically in a dreamy, highly inviting environment.
A very diverse adventure that truly captures the breadth of the piano, the strategic and minimal use of brass and strings accent the mood well as the artists bring us plenty of welcomed surprises on this complex and timeless listen.
Travels well with: Prisma Vol. 5; Apollo Chamber Players- Within Earth;