Missing Words
New Focus, 2022
9/10
The esteemed composer Eric Nathan brings a small handful of the best modern ensembles to this very daring effort, where orchestration, pitch and harmony are all refined with a strong attention to detail.
“Missing Words I” opens the listen with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project providing much ambience and control as a cinematic and often tense climate pushes and pulls with moody strings and bright brass, and “Missing Words II” brings the American Brass Quintet to a very meticulous and adventurous layering of brass dynamics.
Disc 1 exits with the mysterious and charming blending of Parry Karp’s cello and Christopher Karp’s piano, as “Missing Words III” emits a low and alluring tone.
Disc 2 is especially exciting, where the fascinating manipulation of sound from the International Contemporary ensemble nearly sounds sci-fi on “Missing Words IV”, while “Missing Words V”moves swiftly with intricate strings and firm keys guiding the chamber setting. “Missing Words VI” then meshes the winds, and strings in both quick, upbeat settings, as well as calm, intimate ebbs thanks to Hub New Music.
Certainly more a desolate effort than most of Nathan’s work, in the area of contemporary classical and ambitious chamber music, it just doesn’t get much better than this.
Travels well with: Stephanie Lamprea- Quaking Aspen; Adam Roberts- Bell Threads