Hudobný ziyot (Slovakia)
Women – composers. A theme that has resonated in the music world in recent decades, especially among women performers. Some, with almost feminist zeal, promote virtually any piece composed by a woman, regardless of its quality (often on the level of salon music).
None of this, however, applies to the composers presented on this album. Quite the opposite. The music of Dutch composer Henriëtte Bosmans can be simply described as marvelous and breathtaking. The works of Croatian composer Dora Pejačević occasionally appear on concert stages and in many respects hold their own against those of her male contemporaries. The sisters Lili and Nadia Boulanger hardly need an introduction.
If, however, something dominates the album titled Upheaval, it is the Danish performers: cellist Janne Fredens and pianist Søren Rastogi, who are not only artistic but also life partners. They have given every piece the utmost care and commitment. This is evident to the listener from the very first energetic tones of Henriëtte Bosmans’ Sonata for Cello and Piano in A minor. This riveting, dramatic work makes it impossible to feel that nearly twenty minutes have passed. The sonata provides space in both parts not only for temperament and virtuosity but also for many cantabile and lyrical passages.
The Sonata for Cello and Piano in E minor, Op. 35, by Dora Pejačević, is the longest work on the album – each of its four movements lasts about seven minutes. I see in this a certain pitfall, as some passages, to put it colloquially, “drag on.” I do not, however, place the blame on the performers, whose dedication is undeniable and whose artistic quality, as in the rest of the album, is truly high.
The brief, three-and-a-half-minute Nocturne by Lili Boulanger was originally written for flute and piano, making this a transcription – but a highly successful one. The Three Pieces for Cello and Piano by the more famous Nadia Boulanger delight with the compositional refinement of each miniature – in particular, the canon in the second piece stands out. The third, with its Spanish inspirations, closes the album impressively.
All of the featured composers were essentially contemporaries, though they were born in different corners of Europe and into different family backgrounds. All lived through the First World War. All lived at a time when composition was still largely a male domain. Artistically, however, they each demonstrated individuality and courage. Although their works are distinct, they also share common features – unexpected harmonic shifts, imaginative and at times highly unconventional piano writing, virtuosity in both parts (neither is merely “the other”), and even the use of quintuple meter, which appears in all the works except the Nocturne. The carefully thought-out dramaturgy of the album leaves nothing to criticize.
Released by OUR Recordings, the album was captured in top-notch sound quality and even issued as a Super Audio CD. The cello, crafted by Peter Westerlund, sounds full-blooded and magnificent throughout, pleasantly colored in combination with the softer sound of the Bechstein piano. Together with the unobtrusive acoustics of the recording space, this provides a unique listening experience. The superb playing of both performers and their flawless ensemble allow listeners to enjoy sixty minutes of outstanding, rarely performed music. Altogether, this is a wonderful example of an excellent chamber music album. Here’s the full English translation of your text:
Jan Dušek,December 30, 2023, Hudobný život, Upheaval