Dialogues & Meditations
Albany, 2024
8/10
Listen to Dialogues & Meditations
The conductor Andrew Koehle leads us through Steven Holochwost’s compositional language here, and it includes the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra, plus guests for the 4 involved pieces.
“Dialogues for Brass Ensemble” opens the listen with a gentle atmosphere, where the strings and winds emit a soothing elegance of beauty, and “Shenandoah Rhapsody for Solo Violin & String Orchestra” follows with Viktor Glybochanu’s violin contributions that help cultivate tremendous warmth and a stirring agility.
“Symphony in Three Movements” lands in the middle and uses minimal instrumentation and can build into triumphant bouts of booming percussion, while “Theme and Variations on the Romanesca for String Orchestra” layers the rich strings with wonder and awe, as they dance around each other playfully.
At the end, “Meditations for Solo Cello & Orchestra” recruits Ihor Chekaylo’s stunning cello for the dynamic and flowing musicianship that tugs on the heartstrings.
A body of work that focuses on quiet and reflective tones, but can erupt with louder bursts, Koehler’s innovative and careful vision illuminates Holochwost’s timeless craft superbly.
Travels well with: Patrick Yim- New Waves; Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra- Harmony In Black