This month’s selection is a fine mix of great discoveries and familiar favourites
Babbitt
Works for Treble Voice and Piano Nina Berman (soprano), Steve Beck, Eric Huebner (piano) New Focus Recordings FCR-349 Soprano and pianist tease out all the otherworldliness and emotional variety of these works, spanning half a century of Babbitt’s extensive, experimental career. On Du, in particular, there’s delight in the endless possibilities of both music and language. (SW) ★★★
Bertolotti • Rota et al
Works for Flute and Harp Claudio Ortensi (flute), Anna Pasetti (harp) Tactus TC 910005 Rota’s well-known Sonata is joined by four other flute-and-harp compositions by lesser-known 20th-century Italian composers. A neoclassical grace dominates and, while not all of the music absorbs all of the time, the combination’s dreamy, yearning emotional landscapes are convincingly explored. (SW) ★★★★
Biber Mystery Sonatas
Mayumi Hirasaki (violin) et al Pasacaille PAS1088
Mozarteum University professor and ‘scordatura specialist’ Mayumi Hirasaki darts across her instrument with gravity-defying lightness, her bow seeming to barely graze the strings. Yet her tone resonates wonderfully, and she also achieves a serenity and grace in keeping with the Sonatas’ spiritual subject matter. (CS) ★★★★★
Bowles A Picnic Cantata
Michael Barrett, Steven Blier et al NYFOS Records 2022 Lines such as ‘I will surely die if I eat any pie’ give a good idea of what this splendidly dotty 1954 work for voices, pianos and percussion is all about. Don’t expect any great musical insights; do expect 30 minutes of fun. (JP) ★★★
Dvořák • Martinů Piano Trios Aoi Trio Hänssler Classic HC22029 An interesting Czech pairing of Dvořák’s darkly passionate but always melodious Third Piano Trio with Martinů’s more astringent First from half-a-century later. The Aoi Trio perform both works with restrained elegance. (JP) ★★★★
Gaubert Chamber Works
Nolwenn Bargin (flute), Maki Wiederkehr (piano) et al Claves 50-3059
Charming, effortlessly likeable fin-de-siècle French chamber music, with much of the grace and intimacy of Gaubert’s older contemporary Fauré. The Sicilienne has a captivating wistfulness; the Madrigal mixes gentle, singing episodes and moments of high spirits. Piano and flute are nicely balanced. (SW) ★★★★
Hjellemo Violin Concerto etc
Christopher Tun Andersen (violin); Makris Symphony Orchestra Sterling CDS1128 The Violin Concerto and equally lively Symphony No. 2 make a good introduction to Ole Hjellemo, a Norwegian composer who plied his trade in the early 20th century. The playing has its rough-and-ready moments, but is full of vigour. (JP) ★★★
Mahler S
