Given that today marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I’ve opted to select albums that, in different ways, reflect on that horrific attack while also offering inspiration. We will never forget. There aren’t a lot of new releases, but here is New in Music This Week: September 11th:
My top pick is:
JAZZ: THEMES FOR GOOD FRIENDS – George Garzone – JoJo Records
Tenor saxophonist/composer Garzone has figured prominently in the education of major artists for fifty years (so far) at the Berklee College of Music. Amongst them are Seamus Blake, Branford Marsalis, Donny McCaslin and Joshua Redman.
Now it’s his turn to take a moment in the spotlight.
Themes for Good Friends is the perfect title for this album that begins and ends with tributes to some of those friends. The opening track is Theme for Ernie which features pianist Luis Perdomo with Garzone. The song is best known for John Coltrane’s performance on Soultrane. But it was written by Fred Lacey as a tribute to alto saxophonist Ernie Henry.
The album has its moments where the music really swings. These four guys know how to work together, listen actively and find great moments for us to hear their individual strengths. But it is when they really start cooking as an ensemble that they impress most.
The last two tracks, The Mingus That I Knew and To Michael Brecker, are moving tributes to two very different artists. I loved both these tunes which couldn’t be more different and performed more differently.
Garzone is joined on the album by Randy Brecker on trumpet, Santi Debriano on bass, Perdomo and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums.
Garzone hasn’t sought a lot of attention over the years. He’s an outstanding musician who, it seems, was comfortable remaining out of the spotlight. Themes for Good Friends will, hopefully, find him center stage performing this music.
Here are the other fine releases that are New in Music This Week: September 11th:
CLASSICAL: PAGANINI – his music, his instruments – Goldmund Quartet / Carlotta Dalia – Berlin Classics
Given the title, you might be inclined to think this album is a gimmick. The Goldmund Quartet does indeed play on a set of quartet instruments made by Antonio Stradivari and used by composer Niccolò Paganini.
Rest assured, this is first-rate playing that has been recorded in such a clean and crisp way that the performances seem like they are happening in front of you and not coming through your speakers.
Their album is a celebration of less-frequently recorded works. This includes the Guitar Quartet No. 15 in A Minor with guitarist Carlotta Dalia joining them. She has two solo tracks: Sonata in A Major, Op. 3 No. 1, a work originally composed for violin that has been transcribed for guitar by Manuel Barrueco and Te Voglio Bene Assaje which is attributed to Donizetti.
Paganini’s String Quartet No. 3 in A Minor is stunningly played by the Goldmund Quartet.
The album closes with Caprice No. 24 in A Minor (for Guitar and String Quartet). Of course, this is one of Paganini’s greatest hits. There is a finesse and wonderful restraint in allowing the piece to breathe differently than it does when performed as an encore.
CLASSICAL: HALL OF MIRRORS – Mishak Rushdie Momen – Hyperion
I have a personal reason for including this album this week. Momen plays the works of François Couperin, Jean-Phillippe Rameau and Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre quite well.
I wasn’t familiar with de La Guerre’s work at all. Discovering her Suite in G Minor was a revelation.
I arrived in Amsterdam on September 11th. The main purpose of my trip was to go from there and explore Paris for 10 of my 17 days on vacation. While in France, I encountered so many people who would come up to me and express their condolences for what had happened on 9/11. Completely unprovoked. Completely what I had heard about the French. Thoroughly appreciated by me.
Listening to this album reminds me of that kindness during a dark time. It also reminds me how some of the best music for whatever emotion you are feeling comes from classical music. Often, I find Baroque music, when performed well, is the perfect salve.
Momen’s recording comes at a perfect time with exactly what I was hoping for. Exactly what I needed. Exactly what I got.
CLASSICAL: CEREMONY – Emmanuel Pahud / Dresdner Philharmonie / Jonathan Stockhammer – Warner Classics
Not every movement of the three pieces performed by Pahud on Ceremony fits into today’s theme. But what does fit is extraordinarily powerful and moving.
Flautist Pahud opens with Prokofiev’s Flute Sonata in D Major, Op. 94. Composed in 1943, this four-movement sonata’s first and third movements best represent the delicate nature of Prokofiev’s writing.
Christopher Rouse’s Flute Concerto was composed in 1993 and premiered in 1994. I like the entire piece. The first, third and fifth movements are particularly emotional.
Toshio Hosokawa’s Ceremony for Flute and Orchestra was written for and dedicated to Pahud. Throughout the five movements all aspects of the flute and what it can do are on display. Even in the more forceful and louder sections, I was reminded of the idea of breathing throughout.
Pahud plays all three works impressively. I recommend hearing this for Hosokawa’s. Just know that the first two works are equally good.
JAZZ: RESOLUTION – Dan Siegel – DSM
While listening to pianist/composer Siegel’s latest album, I couldn’t help but think of this week’s 9/11 anniversary. There is nothing to indicate that Siegel intended this album, dedicated to his mother who passed away earlier this year, to be a recognition of that tragedy. But the music and the titles feel like they almost perfectly align to it.
Some of those titles are Room to Move, In Search Of, Easy Does It, Quiet Place, Sometime Somewhere, Time of Need and the title track.
Siegel talks in press notes about this album being “a little bit raw and rough around the edges in places.” I found the music compelling, touching, interesting and a great 37 minutes of music.
Drummer Jay Bellerose and bassist Brian Bromberg form the core of the musicians on Resolution. There are thirteen guests who appear as well.
As a lifelong fan of the work of Charles Bukowski, I was very happy to see a track named Factotum. The music sounds like Bukowski’s novel.
OPERA: VERDI – Lise Davidsen – Decca Classics
If, like me, you’re eagerly anticipating the Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi’s Macbeth later this month with Lise Davidsen as Lady Macbeth, you’ll want to put this album on straight away.
The first five tracks find this once-in-a-generation singer performing, in sequence as they are in the opera, Nel dì della vittoria, Duncano sarà qui?, La luce langue, Vegliammo invan due notti and Una macchia è qui tuttora. She makes such a delicious villain!
The rest of the album includes arias from Un ballo in Maschera (an opera she has yet to appear in), La forza del destino which she performed in the Met Opera’s 2023-2024 season, Don Carlo (2023 marked her role debut as Elisabetta at the Royal Opera House) and closes with Ritorna vincitor! from Aida.
There is no denying how powerful Davidsen’s voice is. This is an album that relies on control, simplicity, moments of undeniable vulnerability, all while using every facet of her amazing voice.
Edward Gardner and the London Philharmonic Orchestra give accompaniment that is damn near perfection.
That’s all for New in Music This Week: September 11th.
Keep your friends and family close.
Enjoy your weekend!
Enjoy the music!
Main Photo: Part of the album art for Dan Siegel’s Resolution (Courtesy DSM)