Invictus
Cedille, 2026
9/10
Stacy Garrop’s piano concerto, Invictus, is fleshed out by Marta Aznavoorian and the Chicago Philharmonic, where the conductor Scott Speck guides the 6 detailed selections.
“Out Of The Night That Covers Me” opens with Aznavoorian’s rumbling keys before the harmonic quality enters amid light percussion and plenty of ambience, and “Black As The Pit From Pole To Pole” follows with dense keys and loud drumming, as tense strings surround the cinematic mood.
Halfway through, “Thank Whatever Gods May Be” flows in and out of textured waves that use percussion, keys and winds strategically, while “Interlude” emits intimacy from Aznavoorian’s fingers via the warm and sometimes firm performance.
Coming in near the end, “For My Unconquerable Soul” spends 9+ minutes mesmerizing us with its mysterious nature and animated winds, and “Joie De Vivre” exits with focus on the lively piano progressions that are heartfelt and emotive.
The project is structured around the first 4 lines of William Ernest Henley’s iconic poem of the same name, before the last 2 movements links the themes, and it showcases Aznavoorian’s inimitable playing alongside incredible dynamics from the Chicago Philharmonic.
Travels well with: Stacy Garrop- Oratorio Terra Nostra; Flutronix- Black Being