Vocal Works
Navona, 2021
8/10
The composer Brian Field has been involved with much diverse work in his exceptional career, including ballet and television and about everything in between, and here he focuses on the voice, and uses 6 pieces to illustrate his eclectic vision, and he even contributes text on a couple of the selections.
“By And By” starts the listen with incredible harmonizing between the many voices from the Budapest Chorus as text by Charles Albert Tindley makes an indelible impression, and the strong performances continue to the mysterious and dynamic “Tres Canciones de Amor”, which benefits much from Yanis Benabdallah’s soaring tenor.
Elsewhere, “Let’s Build A Wall (An American Satire)” showcases divine string work from the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players as Zoli Mujahid’s expressive tenor helps make this the album’s best, while “Sephardic Lullaby” displays Orsi Sapszon’s soprano prowess alongside the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra’s dreamy interaction.
The final two tracks bring us the emotive and soothing voices of the Budapest Chorus, and “Chimneys, sonnets-realities” exits the listen with Veronica Tomanek’s unpredictable piano work and Edward Whalen’s baritone making for an engaging, theatric execution.
A highly enjoyable effort that touches on jazz, classical, chamber and orchestral ideas, Field’s strong attention to detail and richly textured vision make for gripping body of work from an ultra creative mind.
Travels well with: Various Artists- Polarities Vol. 2; Voces8- Infinity