Birds & Insects
Bridge, 2025
9/10
A body of work assembled into 3 books, the composer Arlene Sierra enlists the pianists Steven Beck and Sarah Cahill for works that surround themes of landscape, evolutionary biology, and the sounds, processes and behavior of birds and insects.
Book 1 opens with Beck’s mysterious keys across the chilling “Sarus Crane”, before the cautious and mesmerizing “Cicada Sketch” draws us in.
Book 2 opens with the playful manipulation of “Painted Bunting” that is quite curious, while “Black And White Warbler” emits a dizzying and cinematic appeal which rumbles with intrigue.
The last installment, Book 3, is where Cahill’s piano is utilized. Chilling, ominous bouts like “Canyon Wren” are unpredictable and engaging, and “Troupial” exits with strong attention to tonality and space is both bare and firm gestures.
Other than piano, there are some subtle samples and background sounds that add much to this nature-esque effort that is largely compact and captivates us from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Harry Partch- The Wayward First Complete Recording; Louis Karchin, Vol. 4- Tribute To The Angels