Is it modern classical or jazz? Genres and borders are crossed on these latest three releases by Innova Records
String’s the thing with violinist Edna Mitchell, playing in various settings with compositions from a wide ranging collection of artists to celebrate “universal compassion through music.” Co-developed by friend and mentor Yehudi Menuhin, the 2 disc project includes stirngs and voice as Susan Naruki songs Tavener’s “Song for the Angel” and Patricia Rozario contributes to Satoh’s “Innocence for Violin, Soprano and 6 Cellos. More modern material includes Allen Ginsberg narrating Philip glass’s “Echorus” and Andreas Weiss conducting Steve Reich’s “Duet for 2 Violins and String Orchestra.” Wide ranging and ambitious.
The debut album by the large ensemble ROCO is a two disc collection of modern compostions. Edgy strings and dramatic drums are featured on Karim Al-Zand’s “Visions From Anothrer World” with hints of Barber and Bartok crating moods and pulsations during Derek Bermel’s “Murmurations.” A fun narration of Anthony DiLorenzo’s “Jabberwocky” has moments of starlight wonders, whereas his “Anthem of Hope: Houston Strong” is a dedication to the devastation to the Texan City with a soundtrack of a score. Encyclopedic sounds.
Sopranist Nancy Allen Lundy, pianist Stephen Gosling and violinist Ralph Farris mix and match on 24 different tunes divided by four basic themes. “A Collection of Songs to Poems by CF Cilliers” are duets of piano and voice with gentle and soft moods, mixing operatic areas with Chopinesque ivories. “The Violin Ings In A Common Language” features Farris yearning with her warm toned. “4 Songs to Poems by Hart Crane” have Lundy and Gosling prancing and jostling, while “6 Songs (WB Yeats)” is filled with delicate musical conversations.