August Tracks
Highlights from August's new classical albums
As August comes to a close, here’s a quick look at some of my favorite tracks released this month:
Lynda O’Connor, David Brophy, Anamus: The Irish Seasons
I will never get tired of fresh musical takes on the seasons. Sure, Vivaldi’s set has been recorded plenty, but when the concept gets paired with another composer, it just always works. Ailbhe McDonagh’s Irish set is no exception, as violinist Lynda O’Connor is joined by the ensemble Anamus.
Vitamin String Quartet: Espresso (single)
Sabrina Carpenter’s song being covered here only released in April, so this VSQ take arrived with haste. Possibly in time for use in Bridgerton Season 4? Oh who am I kidding - they’re got PLENTY of time for that.
Valentin Silvestrov: Forgotten Words I Wished to Say
It’s interesting that two artists released recordings of Silvestrov’s Kitsch-Musik right in the same month. Alexei Lubimov’s recording is part of a much larger set of works by the Ukrainian composer. The work is hardly kitsch as we know it - more sentimental than tongue in cheek. The composer, in the 1970s, suffering from a lack of unity with his fellow composers, had a failed foray into pop tunes. This was the result.
Paola Prestini: The Old Man and the Sea
When it comes to adapting literature to opera today, look no further than Paola Prestini. Hemingway’s novel, which is on the list of “most challenged and banned classics” has never before been approved to be adapted to an opera. This is her Prestini’s second literary/oceanic work in a row, with Edward Tulane (the story of a toy rabbit who gets lost at sea) also recently released. The preview track, titled “Writing Paradise” features Kronos Quartet cellist, Jeff Zeigler,
Rachel Lee Priday: Fluid Dynamics
Speaking of water, violinist Rachel Lee Priday’s newest album is inspired by the experiments of oceanographer Georgy Manucharyan - Priday’s fellow faculty member at the University of Washington. When he described his work studying the physics of the ocean, and how water moves, Priday immediately wanted to see the idea expressed in music. Manucharyan’s experimental results are expressed in visuals, which she shared with composers who are featured on the album.
It would be very easy for me to point you to the music of Cristina Spinei.
But since Spinei is a best friend of mine, I think you can have one more recommendation from this album - Gabriella Smith’s Entangled on a Rolling Planet.
Alchymy Viols, Michael Walker II: Deep River
Viola consorts didn’t precisely overlap with spirituals, but in their time they were a way to enjoy popular music. So, combining them with America’s folk music felt natural to Alchymy Viols and countertenor Michael Walker II. This combination works well and is a reminder that historic instruments don’t need to stay in their original time period.
Isata Kanneh-Mason: Mendelssohn
Just a few years after highlighting the music of Clara Schumann, Kanneh-Mason returns with her love of the music of Fanny Mendelssohn. Having recently participated in a documentary titled Fanny: The Other Mendelssohn, which traces the origin of the Easter Sonata, Isata Kanneh-Mason shares her love of the famous sister. Kanneh-Mason’s playing is as brilliant as ever. Especially in the Easter Sonata - a work that was, for quite a long time, misattributed to Mendelssohn brother Felix.
All of these are streaming now. Look for more in September.