By The Waters Of Memory
Navona, 2024
8/10
Listen to By The Waters Of Memory
The composer and pianist Richard Crosby pens solo works for piano, viola, cello and oboe, where Latin influences enter for the 6 well thought out pieces.
“By The Waters of Memory Op. 9” starts the listen with Crosby’s flowing keys that mesmerize with incredible warmth and grace, and “Sonata for Piano in B Minor Op. 21” follows with a rumbling spirit, where the meticulous progressions from the keys are both firm and melodic.
In the middle, “Sonata for Viola and Piano Op. 10” welcomes Sila Darville’s striking viola that suits Crosby’s dancing keys via the firm gestures, while “Sonata for Cello and Piano Op. 19” showcases Nathan Jasinski’s gorgeous cello that glides alongside the elegant and frisky piano. “Four Latin Dances for Oboe and Piano Op. 14” is the final piece, where Julie Smith’s precise oboe helps bring much culture and radiance to the album highlight.
A highly technical body of work that unfolds with a very timeless appeal, the solo and duo settings that embrace classical-romantic nods will always be relevant.
Travels well with: Heidi Radtke- Convergence: Music For Saxophone & Fixed Media; Debra Kaye- Time Is The Sea We Swim In