Crimson Roses
Naxos, 2024
8/10
The New York City chamber choir, Musica Viva NY and director/conductor Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez welcome the vocalists Frederica von Stade and Erinn Sensenig for these selections by Jospeh Turrin, Richard Einhorn and Gilda Lyons.
Turrin’s “And Crimson Roses Once Again Be Fair” opens the listen with the harmonic voices and both pretty and tense bouts, where poetry from Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen and Vera Brittain and Sensenig’s soaring soprano won’t go unnoticed.
Einhorn’s “The Luminous Ground” arrives in the middle and leads with mystery, as the reflective and spiritual ideas unfold with meticulous keys and strings aligning with the bright voices.
“Momotombo”, by Lyons, exits, and takes inspiration from Nicaragua while showcasing vivid storytelling amid the rich group vocals and nature-esque delivery of sublime beauty.
Included are 30+ singers to complement the precise orchestra, where the work of these living composers is fleshed out with unparalleled attention to detail.
Travels well with: Naomi Moon Siegel- Shatter The Glass; Vijay Iyer- Trouble