This is our final New In Music column for 2023. I hope you’ve enjoyed these previews of the best new releases each week. So let’s get right to the best of what’s New In Music This Week: December 15th:
My top pick is:
MUSICALS: DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES – Original Cast Recording – Nonesuch Records
In 2005 I first saw the Adam Guettel and Craig Lucas musical The Light in the Piazza. Guettel’s music and lyrics for this show are, I believe, the most romantic since West Side Story.
Romance takes a darker turn in their new musical which is based on the same 1958 television movie that inspired the 1962 film starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick.
This musical finds Kelli O’Hara in the Remick role and Brian d’Arcy James in the Lemmon role as two people who fall not just in love, but into a downward spiral courtesy of the copious amounts of alcohol they consume.
I haven’t seen this musical, but one listen to this album makes me want to book a ticket to New York to see it on Broadway (it opens in late January at Studio 54). Just to hear new music from Guettel is reason enough to see any show and more than reason enough to make this recording my Top Pick.
Here are my other choices for New In Music This Week: December 15th
CLASSICAL: MENDELSSOHN: LIEDER OHNE WORTE – Igor Levit – Sony Classical
Pianist Levit offers up selections from Mendelssohn’s 8 book Songs Without Words in this solo recording. Levit was inspired to record these pieces (along with Charles-Valentin Alkan’s Prélude Op. 31: no 8 “La chanson de la folle au bord de la mer”) as a response to the October 7th attacks in Israel.
The choices he made reflect his realization that the best way to raise his voice was through his musicianship. The recording, which is beautiful, is to raise money for two organizations battling Anti-Semitism.
As he says in the press release announcing this release, “It is my artistic reaction, as a person, as a musician, as a Jew, to what I have felt in the last few weeks and months. Or to put it more precisely, it is one of many reactions that came to mind.”
CLASSICAL: SINTA QUARTET PLAYS BEETHOVEN – Sinta Quartet – Bright Shiny Things
If you like your Beethoven in the non-traditional style, this album is for you. Actually, this album is for anyone who enjoys Beethoven at all.
Sinta Quartet is a saxophone quartet. They perform three of Beethoven’s string quartets on this imaginative and ear-opening recording: String Quartet No. 11 in F Minor, Op. 95; String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132and String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 131.
Their performances give a richness and depth that is uniquely satisfying by virtue of this being all woodwind instruments instead of string instruments.
Give it a try. I’d bet money you’ll be impressed!
JAZZ: OWL SONG – Ambrose Akinmusire – Nonesuch Records
The title of trumpeter/composer Akinmusire’s album indicates that this is going to be a quiet record. After all, owls don’t make loud noises. I bet, however, they wish they made music as beautiful as this album.
Akinmusire is joined by guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Herlin Riley on this album which is rightly finding its place on many Best of 2023 albums. The 8 tracks totaling 42 minutes make up an album that is exactly what we need at the end of a chaotic year. Owl Song is the music we need most right now that gives us time and space to do the things we need most: think, feel, relax.
JAZZ: A WORLD OF PIANO! – Phineas Newborn, Jr. – Craft Recordings
This album was recorded in late 1961 and released in 1962. It is a masterclass in jazz piano of the era. Newborn isn’t as well-known as some of his contemporaries, but he should be and this album makes the case for it.
There are eight tracks on the album including Charlie Parker’s Cheryl; Billy Strayhorn’s Lush Life; Clifford Brown’s Daahoud and Sonny Rollins’ Oleo.
Newborn is joined by Paul Chambers on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums for the first four tracks. The last four tracks find him playing with Louis Hayes on drums and Sam jones on bass.
This is a 180-gram vinyl release and hi-res digital.
MUSICALS: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID THE MUSICAL – Cast Album – Ghostlight Records
For a musical that hasn’t been widely seen (it premiered in 2016 at The Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis), this show has some high-profile fans participating in this recording. They include Norbert Leo Butz, Kevin Del Aguila, Sutton Foster and Jessie Mueller.
The musical has a book by Del Aguila and music and lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler. The musical is, of course, based on Jeff Kinney’s books.
I enjoyed this album and look forward to the time when we all might get a chance to see it performed.
MUSICALS: GODSPELL EL MUSICAL – Spanish Cast Recording – Concord Theatricals Recordings
I’ve always found it fascinating to hear musicals in other languages. One of my favorites is the Spanish-language version of A Chorus Line which was directed by Antonio Banderas. This recording is also affiliated with Banders who produced the 2022 show in Malaga, Spain.
Godspell was composed by Stephen Schwartz who also wrote the lyrics. The book was written by John-Michael Tebelak. Roser Batalla did the Spanish lyric and book translations.
Godspell opened on Broadway in June, 1976 and ran for 527 performances. This Spanish production ran from November 3, 2022 to January 8, 2023.
This recording is only available digitally in al territories. CDs are available in Spain only right now. Those wanting a CD can pre-order it.
That’s all for New In Music This Week: December 15th.
Enjoy your weekend.
Enjoy the music.
Happy Holidays!
Main Photo: Art from the album cover of Days of Wine and Roses (Courtesy Nonesuch Records)