Landscapes And Lamentations
Neuma, 2022
9/10
Listen to Landscapes And Lamentations
The composer, conductor, violinist, pianist and guitarist Richard Carr finds himself in the company of the American Contemporary Music Ensemble for this enlightening listen that emanates from musings he’s entertained about places near his home in the Hudson Valley.
“Rainbow Falls” opens the listen with warm strings and agile piano, as a very stirring delivery unfolds with grace, and “Loop Road” follows with agile guitar and no lack of atmosphere that benefits from sublime intimacy.
At the halfway point, “Underwater Photography” displays swift string interaction that makes for a mesmerizing appeal of meticulousness, while “Ice Caves” radiates an emotive quality that’s artistically poetic.
Close to the end, “Castle Point” emits a playful, cinematic ambience of strategic string dynamics, and “A Cabin In The Woods” exits with a minimal and impactful execution of restraint that truly illustrates Carr’s proficient guitar playing.
The string players, ACME, includes Laura Lutzke (violin), Ben Russell (violin), Caleb Burhans (viola) and Clarice Jensen (cello). Together under Carr’s nature-esque vision, they make for a jazz friendly, somewhat improvised and tonally expressive affair that’s quite absorbing.
Travels well with: MC Maguire- Transmutation Of Things; Lawson & Merrill- Signals