New In Music This Week: September 12th

This isn’t the most robust week for new releases. Vinyl fans, however, have some truly great options with some reissues in both the classical and jazz idioms. It’s all here in New In Music This Week: September 12^th.

My top pick is:

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL: BIRDS OF PARADISE – Ember – Azica Records

This debut album from the ensemble known as Ember features music composed by women across 122 years.

But first, a note about Ember. This unique trio features Julia Choi on violin, Christine Lamprea on cello and Emily Levin on harp.

That should pique your interest.

Then there’s the music. The ablum opens with Henriette Renié’s Trio in B-flat Major composed in 1901. It’s a four-movement work lasting almost a half hour. Given how engaging this trio is, I’m surprised that I’ve never heard of her before this recording. 

That is followed by Reena Esmail’s Saans. It’s a work that has undergone a few reworkings, including this world premiere arranged for Ember. I’m a fan of Esmail’s writing and to hear it set for these three instruments and women makes the emotion of the piece come through beautifully.

Birds of Paradise closes with Angélica Negrón’s Ave del paraiso which translates to the album’s title. This is a work Ember knows well having given the world premiere performance of it. It’s a delightful work that incorporates recordings of birds while celebrating the birds of paradise flower. 

It would be reductionist to say that this is an album showcasing women’s voices. It is so much more than that. Birds of Paradise is a wonderfully evocative and engaging 48 minutes of music performed exquisitely. 

Here are the other fine recordings in New In Music This Week: September 12th

CLASSICAL: DVOŘÁK: SYMPHONY NO. 9/SERENADE FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS – Deutsche Radio Philharmonie/Pietari Inkinen – SWR Music

DR Philharmonie completes a full cycle of Dvořák’s symphonies with this release of the composer’s most enduring symphony. Pietari Inkinen conducts. Inkinen has conducted their recordings of the composer’s 2^nd, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th symphonies previously. Former Chief Conductor Karel Mark Chichon led the recordings of the 1^st, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th symphonies.

I’m not the biggest fan of the 9^th symphony.

I know that’s sacrilege for some. It’s just a bit redundant to me. Having said that, I did enjoy this recording more than I expected to.

What I absolutely loved was the Serenade for Wind Instruments in D Minor. This was composed for two bassoons, cello, two clarinets, contrabassoon, double bass, three horns and two oboes. The playing was engaging, whimsical as needed and thoroughly enjoyable. 

CLASSICAL: SIX TITLES FROM HYPERION RECORDS – VINYL RELEASES

Classical label Hyperion Records is back in the record business with newly pressed limited edition vinyl releases of six of their titles. This is their third series of vinyl reissues, but they are limited to just 1,000 copies worldwide.

They are:

BACH: VIOLIN CONCERTOS – Alina Ibragimova, Arcangelo and Jonathan Cohen

C.P.E. BACH: SONATAS & RONDOS – Marc-André Hamelin (Double LP set)

DEBUSSY: STRING QUARTET & SONATAS – The Nash Ensemble

GRIEG/LISZT: PIANO CONCERTOS – Stephen Hough, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton

SHOSTAKOVICH: 24 PRELUDES, OP 34; PIANO SONATAS NOS. 1 & 2 – Andrey Gugnin

ERIC WHITACRE: CLOUDBURST – Polyphony, Stephen Layton

Hough’s record and Hamelin’s record are my two favorites amongst these new releases. 

It looks like the success of these vinyl reissues will find many more coming soon. Classical music fans, save your money!

CLASSICAL: SONGS OF PASSION – Thomas Dunford/Lea Desandre/Jupiter – Erato

The music of John Dowland and Henry Purcell is marvelously performed in this new album featuring mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre and Thomas Dunford on lute with players from Ensemble Jupiter (both the vocal ensemble and the instrumental ensemble)

The first half of the two-disc set features a dozen songs written by John Dowland. The second disc features 14 songs written by Purcell with an emphasis on Dido and Æneas.

Desandre’s voice is sublime. Her approach to these songs makes it seems as if they had been written for her. The musicianship across the recording is top notch.

It should be noted that there is one track, the final one, composed by Dunford and Doug Balliet called Take Me Back to You. It’s a more modern song, for obvious reason, and I wasn’t entirely sure why they felt the need to add it to such a richly satisfying album. Particularly since it follows Purcell’s very powerful, When I am laid in earth.

But that’s a little bit of nitpicking. Songs of Passion is quite good indeed.

JAZZ:  FIVE FROM ’65: THE QUINTET SUMMER SESSIONS – Chet Baker Quintet – New Land Records – VINYL RELEASE

In August of 1965, Chet Baker, drummer Roy Brooks, tenor sax player George Coleman, pianist Kirk Lightsey and bassist Herman Wright took a recording studio in New York City. While there they recorded the music that would appear on Groovin’ with The Chet Baker Quintet, Smokin’ with The Chet Baker Quintet, Boppin’ with The Chet Baker Quintet, Cool Burnin’ with The Chet Baker Quintet and Comin’ On with The Chet Baker Quintet.

Baker had seen better days in his life and his career by this point. Expectations were low for these albums that were released over the course of two years by Prestige Records in the last 1960s.

This week’s release of a box set of the five albums is the first vinyl release for these titles in more than half a century.  Are these the finest albums Baker ever released? No. Are they merely a curiosity? Also no. It’s a fascinating document of a time when Baker was at or near rock bottom. There’s good music here. I’ve only heard them streaming, but if the pressing from the original mono tapes is good, these will certainly be a worthy addition for fans of Baker. I was happy to hear them, for what it’s worth.

JAZZ: BALTIMORE JAZZ COLLECTIVE – Baltimore Jazz Collective – Stricker Street Records

Baltimore has been home to the likes of John Waters, Billie Holiday, Frank Zappa, Babe Ruth and more.

It’s also home for singer/tap dancer/artist Brinae Ali, pianist Alex Brown, bassist Kris Funn, trumpeter Sean Jones, bass clarinetist Todd Marcus and drummer Quincy Phillips. They form the Baltimore Jazz Collectivewho have released a very impressive debut album.

For those of us who don’t in or near Baltimore, this is a great introduction to many of the outstanding musicians who call Charm City home.

Amongst my favorite tracks are Minor Swing, Memories of You, Sundays at Eubies, Fleeting Stillness, Intercession and Dance My Pain Away.

I don’t recall the last time I heard tap dancing as part of an album that wasn’t associated with a musical. I rather enjoyed it.

As I did this whole album. Should I find myself in Baltimore, I plan to check out the local jazz scene. Until then, I’ll have Baltimore Jazz Collective to enjoy.

That’s all for New In Music This Week: September 12^th.

Enjoy the weekend!

Enjoy some music!

Main Photo: Part of the album art for Marc-André Hamelin’s C.P.E. Bach: Sonatas & Rondo (Courtesy Hyperion Records)