Bespoke Songs
New Focus, 2024
9/10
The soprano Fotina Naumenko presents a works of commissioned pieces, where texts by female authors and well executed instrumentation unfolds with strong attention to detail.
Jonathan Newman’s “Bespoke Songs” starts the listen with Garrick Zoeter’s dreamy clarinet and Timothy Roberts’ alto and soprano saxophones complementing the elegant strings and Naumenko’s soaring and precise voice. The 12 chapters are calm, poetic and emit much beauty, where Marika Bournaki’s mature keys make an impression, too.
The middle belongs to “‘Hope’ Is The Thing With Feathers”, by Jennifer Jolley, as Julietta Curenton’s airy flute and Colin Davin’s warm guitar add much to the thoughtful and harmonic climate.
On the back half, Carrie Magin’s “How To See An Angel” benefits much from Ryan Romine’s low bassoon and Bournaki’s mesmerizing keys via the rhythmic and chamber nods, while “Let Evening Come” welcomes Nadia Pessoa’s swirling harp and Julian Schwarz’s sophisticated cello to the dramatic bouts and bright textures of the Benedict Sheehan composition.
A highly articulate and tonally aware effort, Naumenko’s diction and expression guides the tracks through neo-romanticism, theatric moments, jazz and strategic minimalism that leaves an indelible impression.
Travels well with: David Kaplan- New Dances Of The League Of David; The Rhythm Method- Pastorale