Category Archives: Modern Composition
Ezéchiel Pailhès ~ Ventas Rumba
The Bandcamp player has been placed at the top of the review because this is one of those albums where you almost don’t need to read the review: as soon as you hear the music, your ear catches the
Ezéchiel Pailhès ~ Ventas Rumba
The Bandcamp player has been placed at the top of the review because this is one of those albums where you almost don’t need to read the review: as soon as you hear the music, your ear catches the
Gabríel Ólafs ~ Orchestral Works
Gabríel Ólafs may be only 25, but he’s been playing piano for twenty years. Over the past five years, he’s released albums for solo piano, piano and cello, and piano and small ensemble, but Orchestral Works ups the ante
Gabríel Ólafs ~ Orchestral Works
Gabríel Ólafs may be only 25, but he’s been playing piano for twenty years. Over the past five years, he’s released albums for solo piano, piano and cello, and piano and small ensemble, but Orchestral Works ups the ante
Shards ~ Byrd Song
If old songs are given new life, will they find new audiences? And if so, will they reach mass appeal (Walter Murphy’s “A Fifth of Beethoven) or at least critical acclaim (Max Richter’s Vivaldi Recomposed)? How modern can a new
Shards ~ Byrd Song
If old songs are given new life, will they find new audiences? And if so, will they reach mass appeal (Walter Murphy’s “A Fifth of Beethoven) or at least critical acclaim (Max Richter’s Vivaldi Recomposed)? How modern can a new
Mary Kouyoumdjian ~ 2 Suitcases
The refugee crisis continues to rage around the world, sparking a dual backlash of racism and xenophobia. The focus may have shifted from the southern border of the U.S. to the demolished camps of Gaza, but the story remains the
Mary Kouyoumdjian ~ 2 Suitcases
The refugee crisis continues to rage around the world, sparking a dual backlash of racism and xenophobia. The focus may have shifted from the southern border of the U.S. to the demolished camps of Gaza, but the story remains the
Andrzej Pietrewicz ~ #8
Andrzej Pietrewicz continues to challenge common assumptions of how sacred music can sound. All too often, devotional albums are so safe that they dilute the creativity of the Creator. This Toronto composer knows that awe comes from the unexpected, and that
Andrzej Pietrewicz ~ #8
Andrzej Pietrewicz continues to challenge common assumptions of how sacred music can sound. All too often, devotional albums are so safe that they dilute the creativity of the Creator. This Toronto composer knows that awe comes from the unexpected, and that
Diane McLoughlin & The Casimir Connection ~ Reflection
Reflection is a seemingly simple title that hides great complexity, and there’s a pleasing symmetry in the fact that saxophonist Diane McLoughlin has chosen it as the title for the latest album from The Casimir Connection, an ensemble featuring piano,
Diane McLoughlin & The Casimir Connection ~ Reflection
Reflection is a seemingly simple title that hides great complexity, and there’s a pleasing symmetry in the fact that saxophonist Diane McLoughlin has chosen it as the title for the latest album from The Casimir Connection, an ensemble featuring piano,
Simon Leoza ~ ACTE III
Simon Leoza has been honing his craft in the three years since the release of his debut album Albatross. A live album was followed by a pair of singles and scores for a ballet and a short film. In September, he
Simon Leoza ~ ACTE III
Simon Leoza has been honing his craft in the three years since the release of his debut album Albatross. A live album was followed by a pair of singles and scores for a ballet and a short film. In September, he
Simeon Walker ~ Four Suffolk Sea Scenes
Serendipity is the phenomenon of finding valuable things without searching for them. When you’re fulfilled, this is just a happy coincidence, but when you’ve suffered a loss, it can be a profound, even quasi-religious moment. Nature can be a particularly
Simeon Walker ~ Four Suffolk Sea Scenes
Serendipity is the phenomenon of finding valuable things without searching for them. When you’re fulfilled, this is just a happy coincidence, but when you’ve suffered a loss, it can be a profound, even quasi-religious moment. Nature can be a particularly
a closer listen 