Welcome to October and New in Music This Week: October 3rd. This week I have three musicals, four classical music recordings and two jazz albums for you to listen to.
My top pick is:
MUSICALS: WALK ON THROUGH: LIVE AT MCC- Gavin Creel – Hackl House Records
I heard about 45 minutes of Gavin Creel’s Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice when he performed at Hollywood’s Hotel Cafe during the Los Angeles run of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods. It was July 24, 2023. Little did anyone know that little more than a year later he would pass away.
This recording comes from the MCC Theater production of Creel’s musical. Creel got the opportunity to create whatever he wanted for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He chose to explore his own life through his journeys through the museum’s many galleries – a place he hadn’t been to before.
His musical offers a mirror to our own lives in addition to illuminating his own. The songs are thoughtful, catchy (when appropriate) and moving (as necessary).
Creel is joined by cast members and musicians Sasha Allen, Madeline Benson, Chris Peters, Corey Rawls, Ryan Vasquez and Scott Wasserman.
You can listen to the title track, “Walk on Through” HERE.
When I interviewed Gavin in June of 2023, he told me, “The hope is that we’re going to do an off-Broadway run and transfer to Broadway and do a run there. I personally want to take it all across the world to every major market and just share the story of how art can be so intimidating and so healing.”
Gavin gets his wish through this recording. It’s not how any of us wanted him to realize that dream, but it is, nonetheless, a dream realized. And having this recording is healing for us all a year after Gavin Creel’s death.
For those who want to watch Walk On Through, MetLiveArts has it on their YouTube channel HERE. This is an earlier version and not the MCC production heard on this recording.
Here are the other fine recordings in New In Music This Week: October 3rd:
CLASSICAL: ELGAR & THOMAS ADÉS: VIOLIN CONCERTOS – Christian Teztlaff/BBC Philharmonic/John Storgårds – BBC/Ondine
If a violinist wants to tackle insanely difficult works, this pairing might be near or at the top of the list.
Elgar’s Violin Concerto had its world premiere in 1910 with Fritz Kreisler as the soloist. Kreisler had asked Elgar to compose a violin concerto in 1905. IT remains immensely popular in England, but a bit less so around the world.
Adés Violin Concerto (Concentric Paths) had its first performance 95 years later in Berlin. Anthony Marwood, for whom it was composed, gave the world premiere.
You can listen to the first movement of Thomas Adés’ “Violin Concerto” HERE.
Tetzlaff’s performances of these two concertos is not timid. It is also not traditional. But it is exciting, muscular and daring. What it may lack in lyricism it doesn’t lack at all in intensity. Perhaps these are the performances of these two works we need right now.
CLASSICAL: SINE NOMINE – Herbert Howells/Ikon/David Hill – Deutsche Grammophon
This was my first exposure to the choral music of 20th century British composer Howells. This is all sacred choral music that is beautifully sung by the chamber choir Ikon under the direction of David Hill.
The 12-minute title track anchors this 65-minute recording and it is stunning. This album features a new arrangement by Iain Farrington (he also created a new arrangement of King David which opens the album.) There’s also remarkable accompaniment by both piano and violin on Sine Nomine.
You can listen to the title track, “Sine Nomine” HERE.
Regular readers know that sacred music is a particular passion of mine, even as a non-believer. Music this good, regardless of your religious beliefs, should be heard and appreciated.
Sine Nomine is a wonderful place to start.
CLASSICAL: TCHAIKOVSKY – Daniil Trifonov – Deutsche Grammophon
Pianist Trifonov makes some unique choices for this 2-CD/2 LP recording of the music of Russian Composer Tchaikovsky.
Disc one contains Thème original et variations from Six Piano Pieces and the Piano sonata in C-sharp minor.
Disc two contains Children’s Album and Mikhail Pletnev’s arrangement of music from The Sleepin Beauty into a concert suite.
I jumped first to Children’s Album because it was music I learned to play as a young piano student. He plays it much better than I ever did. But that’s why he has a recording career and I don’t. Nor ever will.
You can watch Trifonov perform the fourth movement of “The Sleeping Beauty” HERE.
Trifonov is easily one of our finest pianists today and this album further cements his reputation. His passion, precision and interpretive skills are second to none on Tchaikovsky. Even those who think of the composer as overly sentimental will find plenty to enjoy on this terrific album.
CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL MUSIC: BETWEEN SYSTEMS – Thomas Kotcheff/Bryan Curt Kostors – Post Tonal Records
I wasn’t immediately sure what to make of Between Systems. Simply put on paper this is not the kind of record I would necessarily listen to, nor appreciate.
But here we are. Between Systems is part of this week’s New In Music. Thomas Kotcheff & Bryan Curt Kostors have taken compositions by John Cage and Morton Feldman and used various electronica effects to reimagine many of the rhythmic underpinnings of these compositions and bringing them front and center.
Of Feldman’s works they explore Nature Pieces 1-5, Intermission 3 and Intermission 5. Of Cage’s work they offer their own unique interpretation of In a Landscape and Dream.
I would have to believe that Cage would be fascinated by what they’ve done. Feldman, who knows.
The more I listened to Between Systems the more I was able to realize what these two have accomplished with this utterly fascinating album.
JAZZ: ANGEL FALLS – Sylvie Courvoisier & Wadada Leo Smith – Intakt Records
This is the first recording from pianist Courvoisier and trumpeter Smith. Ten years ago they performed together at a concert. I’m glad they finally recorded an album together. This is an improvised exploration of simplicity that showcases both musicians at their best.
Smith has long been one of the most adventurous musicians to take up the trumpet. Courvoisier has long been one of the most sublime. Together they make unforgettable music.
You can hear “Whispering Images” from “Angel Falls” HERE.
Press notes indicate that this album was recorded in one day with no edits. Every note of music on the album is exactly as it was played in the moment. That speaks volumes to their trust in each other and in their listening abilities.
Angel Falls is truly a beautiful album.
JAZZ: FOR DINAH – Ledisi – Candid Records
Usually, I listen to tribute albums with a healthy amount of skepticism. The originals are available, so what’s the point in doing an album celebrating other artists. For instance, why do an album of songs made famous by Dinah Washington?
With Ledisi I had no such concerns. I knew before I ever listened to the album that she would make these songs her own. And she does…brilliantly. There are only eight songs here and I wanted more.
Amongst Washington’s songs she performs on this album are What a Difference a Day Makes, If I Never Get to Heaven, This Bitter Earth and five more. I wish there were at least another four tracks. This album is that good. I’m guessing that’s a concession to the confines of vinyl releases.
You can watch and hear Ledisi sing “What a Difference A Day Makes” HERE.
The album is produced by Christian McBride (who joins her for You Don’t Know What Love Is) and Rex Rideout. Gregory Porter joins for a duet on You’ve Got What It Takes.
Ledisi has what it takes to create a thoroughly original and thoughtful album celebrating Dinah Washington and remaining, always, totally Ledisi.
MUSICALS: KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN -OST – Multiple Artists – Lakeshore Records and Center Stage Records
On Friday, Bill Condon’s film version of the John Kander and Fred Ebb musical Kiss of the Spider Woman opens. Jennifer Lopez takes on the roles played by Chita Rivera on stage. Diego Luna and Tonatiuh also star.
For those who feel that film adaptations have to be slavishly faithful to the original show, you’re in for quite a few surprises. Mostly, the inclusion of songs that were written at various stages for Kiss of the Spider Woman that have been included in this movie. There are also, as one would expect, songs that didn’t make it in the film.
Lopez isn’t Chita Rivera. But she’s not trying to be, either. This is the best singing she’s done in her career. She was made for musicals and her singing her proves she can do them and do them well.
You can watch clips from the film set to Jennifer Lopez singing “Where You Are” HERE.
The score and other instrumental tracks were done by Sam Davis. (Who I still believe should do more songwriting. Do yourself a favor and listen to Love on a Summer Afternoon). Matthew Sullivan produced the soundtrack.
MUSICALS: LOVE LIFE: A VAUDEVILLE IN TWO PARTS – Multiple Artists – Capriccio
This musical by Kurt Weill and Alan Jay Lerner opened on Broadway in October of 1948. It closed in May of 1949. It was directed by Elia Kazan with choreography by Michael Kidd.
Nanette Fabray and Ray Middleton starred as Susan and Sam Cooper. They are a couple who somehow don’t age over the course of the 157 years that this story takes place. The story ranges from 1791-1948.
The show received only one Tony nomination for Fabray who won Best Actress in a Musical.
Due to a strike at the time, Love Life never received a cast recording. This live recording at Leeds Grand Theatre in the UK earlier this year is the first-ever recording of this musical. Opera North presented this concert with the Opera North Orchestra and Chorus, led by James Holmes.
Stephanie Corley and Quirijn de Lang sing the roles of the Coopers.
This album is much more than a curiosity. It’s a long-lost musical that will finally get the recognition it is due. Liner notes for Love Life quote Stephen Sondheim as having said this musical was “A useful influence on my own work.”
I strongly recommend listening to this album. Odd subject matter, but such great music.
That’s all for New In Music This Week: October 3rd.
Enjoy your weekend. Enjoy the music!
Main Photo: Album art from Walk On Through: Live at MCC