Volume 23 Issue 9 - June / July / August 2018

exploring the repertoire with friends. So I was quite interested when a
new double CD from Trio Casals, Moto Bello (nv6156 navonarecords.
com) arrived. The Moto series “represents a curated collection of
contemporary music by living composers with the traditional instrumentation
of the acclaimed Trio Casals.” The group’s acclaim began in
1996 at the Pablo Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, from which I assume
their name derives. There are ten composers included in this two-disc
package, none of whom were previously known to me. The repertoire
runs the gamut of contemporary styles, from approachable melodic
works, through minimalism to craggy modernist sensibilities, and
although most utilize the full trio resources, there are several solo and
duo pieces. Of particular note is Beth Mehocic’s Somewhere Between
D and C# for solo cello, with its exploration of ambiguous resolution.
L. Peter Deutsch’s Ocean Air is a lovely suite in three movements
harkening back to the late 19th century. Giovanni Piacentini’s Ondine
begins in quiet Debussy-like arpeggiation that gradually builds into a
stormy tempest before calming to gentle seas again. Each of the ten
composers brings an individual voice to the medium, making for a
varied and satisfying program. The playing is convincing and
committed throughout. I was especially impressed by how complete
the package was: a simple folded cardboard cover containing two CDs
and a 12-page booklet with composer bios and program notes. I only
wish that there was more information about the trio itself, and that
the composers’ names were more discernable – pale blue type on a
blue background is hard to read.
Another Navona recording that arrived
recently looked strangely familiar to me. The
Eloquent Saxophone featuring Toronto (now
Cobourg) saxophonist, professor and
founding member of the pioneering band
Lighthouse, David Tanner and pianist Marc
Widner (nv6158 navonarecords.com). It’s a
charming collection of mostly French repertoire
from the early 20th century, but also
including more recent works by American
Leslie Bassett and Gene DiNovi – a saxophone ensemble piece
achieved through overdubbing the various parts. The disc begins with
another saxophone quartet, the aptly named Serenade comique by
Jean Françaix. Although most of the works were written for the saxophone,
there is an effective transcription of Debussy’s Syrinx (originally
for solo flute) in a warm and thoughtful rendition. Widner is the
perfect accompanist for this repertoire, whether playing original piano
lines or, in the case of Paule Maurice’s Tableaux de Provence, subbing
for an entire orchestra. Also of note is Charles Koechlin’s Etude No.VIII
from a set of saxophone and piano studies that were not published
until 1970, 20 years after the composer’s death. The credits tell us that
the recordings were made in 1988 in Toronto, the multi-tracking at
Axon Music Productions and the rest in Walter Hall. That’s when I
figured out what was so familiar. I checked my file card catalog of LP
recordings, and sure enough, I have the original vinyl version of this
disc put out on Apparition Records. Even the cover art is the same. The
brief performer bios have been updated nominally and the order of
the tracks has been modified – it used to start with Syrinx – but with
the exception of the program notes, unfortunately missing from the
CD reissue, the recording is the same. It was a welcome addition to my
collection three decades ago, and it is welcome again now.
One final note, an intriguing percussioncentric
disc of music by Baljinder Sekhon.
Places & Times (innova 988 innova.mu) is,
in the words of the composer, “no ordinary
album of percussion ensemble music.
These compositions explore a wide spectrum
of possibilities offered by the percussion
family, from the aggressive noise of a
cymbal on piano strings and peaceful meditations
created by finger cymbals gently buzzing on a vibraphone,
to the curious thump of a person falling on a bass drum.” The disc
features three percussion ensembles: Los Angeles Percussion Quartet;
McCormick Percussion Group and Line upon Line Percussion.
Three of the tracks include soloists: Dave Gerhart, steel pan; Dieter
Hennings, guitar and Eunmi Ko, piano. Musica Casera, a 12-minute
track that features guitar holding its own against a battery of percussion
instruments, through delicate passages and thunderous sections,
is particularly captivating. Another highlight is Sun for three percussionists
all equipped with similar outfits: one keyboard, one skin,
one wood and one metal instrument. They all share access to a large
cymbal in centre stage, presumably the namesake of the piece. Despite
similar resources, the combinations provide a very broad spectrum of
sound and range.
We welcome your feedback and invite submissions. CDs and
comments should be sent to: DISCoveries, WholeNote Media
Inc., The Centre for Social Innovation, 503 – 720 Bathurst St.
Toronto ON M5S 2R4. We also encourage you to visit our website,
thewholenote.com, where you can find enhanced reviews in the
Listening Room with audio samples, upcoming performance details
and direct links to performers, composers and record labels.
David Olds, DISCoveries Editor
discoveries@thewholenote.com
What we're listening to this month:
thewholenote.com/listening
Tongue & Groove
Andrew Collins Trio
Modern mandolin-forward fare
that nods to the likes of Grisman
dawg music & Punch Brothers
eclecticism – trailblazing new
acoustic roots from this 7x CFMA
winner.
The Eloquent Saxophone
David Tanner
Comprised of performances of
repertoire for piano and saxophone,
these expressive melodies have
a timeless quality that gives each
composition an exciting sound.
Felix Mendelssohn: Complete
Works for Cello and Piano
This new recording presents
Mendelssohn's complete output
for cello and piano, performed by
leading virtuosi Marcy Rosen and
Lydia Artymiw
AXIOMS: MOMENTS OF TRUTH
Axiom Quartet
An axiom is a self-evident truth.
This album represents aspects
and shades of truth. Axiom
Quartet delivers a deeply satisfying
statement on truth and inner
fulfillment.
thewholenote.com June | July | August 2018 | 73