You’ve got a bit of mix and match here with piano, strings and voices delivering modern sounds and spaces. Sarah Rothberg lets her piano delve into the Erik Satie songbook, and delivers some rich interpretations three “Gnossienne” conceptions and a pair of “Ogive”’s. The rich voices of Sonja Bruzauskas and Lauren Snouffer team with the Houston Chamber Choir conducted by Robert Simpson for some ethereal pieces from John Cage. The songs are mostly non lyrical, so the effect is more for mood and meditation than adoration. Kim Kashkashian’s viola teams with Steven Schick’s percussion and Rothberg’s celeste on the centerpiece, a 26 minute title track which also incorporates the choir and creates a rich mix of sounds not unlike the light shining through a stained glass window. Contemplation, yet without a subject.
ECM Records