Brightening Air
New Focus, 2022
8/10
The veteran composer David Liptak brings us a compilation of his music for wind ensemble, where the soprano Tony Arnold and the Eastman Wind Ensemble help illuminate his strong attention to lyricism and orchestration.
“Folgore’s Months” starts the listen with 4 movements that bring tension and grace into the powerful and precise climate that showcases Arnold’s stunning soprano as well as the ensemble’s strong attention to detail.
In the middle, “Surroundings” is an atmospheric 14 minutes that alternates between cinematic, dreamy and colorful as glockenspiel and crotales make an appearance, while “Through The Brightening Air” utilizes winds in a haunting fashion that benefits much from the creative percussion.
“Octet” and “The Sacred Harp” finish the listen, where the former employs layered voices and atypical rhythm, and the latter flows with rich textures from the wind ensemble that embraces folkloric qualities.
Liptak’s music has been played all over the globe and it’s easy to see why; his glowing harmonies, sharp balance and absorbing version of chamber sounds makes for a very appealing listening experience.
Travels well with: David Liptak- Dove Songs; John Aylward/Klangforum Wein- Celestial Forms And Stories