Jonathan Borja/Hector Landa

Flute Music From Mexico

Albany, 2023

8/10

Listen to Flute Music From Mexico

The flutist Jonathan Borja continues his theme of illuminating the work of Mexican composers, and he’s in the company of Hector Landa’s piano for the pieces by Arturo Rodríguez, José Pablo Moncayo, Juanra Urrusti, Samuel Zyman, Diana Syrse, Eduardo Gamboa, and Arturo Márquez.

Rodríguez’s “Introspección” opens the listen with gorgeous flute and warm keys making for a very pretty and graceful climate, and “Amatzinac”, by Moncayo, follows with a highly dreamy demeanor that blends they piano and flute with much richness.

In the middle, Zyman’s “Canción de Cuna” soars with an expressive quality and firm key progressions that are quite mesmerizing, while Syrse’s “Beldad y fuerza” is a hypnotic and meticulous album highlight that is emotive and gripping. The final piece, “Danzón No. 5 Portales de madrugada”, is a playful and melodic finish that spotlights the inimitable skills of the flowing keys and agile flute prowess.

Borja and Landa both have impressive resumes both musically and academically, and together they create cozy and memorable sounds that will always be timeless.

Travels well with: James Adler- That Star In The Picture; Geoffrey Duce- Fantasies & Rhapsodies