Alone/Together: The Dreams & Diversity Of The American Composer
Albany, 2024
9/10
Listen to Alone/Together: The Dreams & Diversity Of The American Composer
A body of work that highlights 4 American composers with an eclectic vision, the works of Edmund Thornton Jenkins, John Wineglass, Elena Roussanova and Beth Denisch are fleshed out by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and under the conducting of Julius P. Williams.
“Charlestonia: Folk Rhapsody”, by Jenkins, starts the listen with the orchestra’s cautious yet exciting interaction that builds into sweeping strings and soulful brass, and Wineglass’ “Alone Together” follows with a dreamy ambience via the plucked strings, where tense and uplifting moments unfold across the 2 chapters.
The middle belongs to the 17+ minutes of “The Legend”, which embraces minimal moments of grace but can also recruit mystery and atmosphere, as dense drumming and soaring strings enter the Roussanova piece, while Denisch’s “Yanvalou” is quite animated, unpredictable and flows with meticulous ideas.
The final track, “The Great Chaplin”, also by Roussanova, leads with bouncy keys, before charming winds align with the lively spirit of the album’s best.
All the composers here have different backgrounds, but their vision all mesh together superbly across this technical and flawless orchestral experience.
Travels well with Clara Kathleen Rogers- Songs Of The Gilded Age & Beyond; Bradley Ellingboe- StarSong