Trios From Contemporary Chicago
Cedille, 2022
8/10
Listen to Trios From Contemporary Chicago
The accomplished Lincoln Trio, i.e. violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, cellist David Cunliffe, and pianist Marta Aznavoorian, bring us 5 works by Chicago’s most esteemed composers, including Shawn E. Okpebholo, Augusta Read Thomas, Shulamit Ran, Mischa Zupko, and Stacy Garrop.
Okpebholo’s “City Beautiful” starts the listen with twinkling keys, as playfully plucked strings enter the very agile and unpredictable climate in the salute to Chicago’s architecture.
Thomas’ “…A Circle Around The Sun” follows, and brings a stirring intimacy thanks to the bare but impactful keys that get a bit mysterious in the 2nd movement, and Ran’s “Soliloquy” follows with 8+ minutes of moody strings and proficient keys in the album’s best selection.
“Fanfare 80”, by Zupko, arrives near the end and is quite tense in the flowing cinematic interaction that rumbles quite firmly, and Garrop’s “Sanctuary” finishes the listen with a composition about her father, where a very emotive spirit guides the profoundly personal landscape that can be both sparse and busy.
It should be no surprise to anyone that the Lincoln Trio have been Grammy nominated twice, cause their meticulous attention to tone, atmosphere and dynamics makes for an unparalleled delivery.
Travels well with: Third Coast Percussion- Perspectives; Aznavoorian Duo- Gems From Armenia