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CD Review — Fire & Grace’s Alma: from Baroque to Basque, and back again

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by Stephanie Manning

To create their latest album, violinist Edwin Huizinga and guitarist William Coulter drew inspiration from the natural world. The duo, known as Fire & Grace, recorded their third project together among the redwoods of Northern California.

“We were both moved by the deep beauty, profound passion and joy, and the soul that we found in this music,” Coulter said when the album was announced. The result, Alma (Spanish for “soul”), is full of folksy charm, combining Baroque music with melodies from Argentina, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Sweden.

[Read more…]

CD Review:
Hanging Gardens — Jacob Greenberg, piano

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by Jarrett Hoffman

Pianist Jacob Greenberg, a longtime member of the International Contemporary Ensemble, explores the intersections between Debussy and the Second Viennese School in his latest album, the sprawling, two-disc Hanging Gardens, released on July 20 on the New Focus Recordings label. The opening pairing perfectly illustrates the focus of the album: these composers’ shared sense of musical passion. Although Debussy’s “Sarabande” from Pour le Piano and Berg’s Op. 1 Sonata in some ways inhabit completely different worlds, at the heart of both is an intensity that ranges from ecstasy to deep struggle. [Read more…]

CD Review:
Groove Dreams — Peter Dominguez, solo bass

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by Jarrett Hoffman

Nearing the end of this summer, which included the third edition of the Milt Hinton Bass Institute at Oberlin, we look back a year earlier to a solo album with important connections both to the Conservatory and to the legendary Hinton himself. Groove Dreams, released on the Oberlin Music label in May of 2017, spotlights a special performer and a special instrument: Oberlin professor Peter Dominguez and the 18th-century Italian bass which Hinton played throughout his career. [Read more…]

CD Review
Lina Bahn — Mean Fiddle Summer: Modern American Violin Works

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by Mike Telin

bahn-cdFor her latest recording, Mean Fiddle Summer: Modern American Violin Works, Lina Bahn has tapped the repertoire of composers she has admired and championed during her impressive, yet still young career. With a playing time of one hour and fifteen minutes, the CD is a fascinating listen as Bahn performs pieces representing a variety of styles ranging from fiddling to works inspired by Ysaÿe and Bartók. From start to finish, the violinist demonstrates her adroit technical facility, kaleidoscope of colors, and consummate musical taste. [Read more…]

CD Review — What Think You I Take My Pen in Hand to Record: Salvatore Champagne, tenor & Howard Lubin, piano

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by Jeremy Reynolds

what-think-you-cd-coverThe most striking thing about the album What Think You I Take My Pen in Hand to Record, devoted to the music of Mario Castelnuovo- Tedesco, is not the music itself, though the interpretations by tenor Salvatore Champagne and pianist Howard Lubin are quite lovely. Rather, it’s the presentation: the monumental research, painstakingly curated essays, and obvious care that went into producing the 64-page CD booklet. [Read more…]

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