Search - Smaldone, Munich Orchestra, Fagen :: Scenes From the Heartland

Music of Edward Smaldone

Will Garcia | New York, New York | 12/03/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Music of Edward SmaldoneHuge conglomerations of energized clashes and strange experimental sonorities, which have long bedeviled audiences at concerts of 20th century classical music, apparently have little to do with the art of composer, Edward Smaldone. His is a more amiable environment, accessible, orderly, tinged with nostalgia for a not-so-distant past, and, quite simply, beautiful music. His harmonic palate is decidedly chromatic, with clear lines and smooth voice-leading throughout. Mr. Smaldone weaves a complex, yet comprehensible musical fabric, which is underscored by a provocative rhythmic intensity. His music is constructed from accessible pitch materials, and features fluid, clearly delineated phrase work.Included on this newly released CD are a Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra, with Michael Boriskin as piano soloist; a Trio: Dance & Nocturne, excellently performed by members of Speculum Musicae; Three Scenes from "The Heartland" (from which the CD takes its title), with pianist Donald Pirone as soloist; the Solo Sonata for Violin, with Curtis Macomber, violin; and closing with a coolly energetic, but lyrical piece for clarinet and piano, with Alan Blustine,clarinet. All the performances are exemplary!.Already into its second pressing, we highly recommend Edward Smaldone's "Scenes from the Heartland", a welcome addition to the famed CRI catalogue. [CRI CD 863.]Will Garcia-Aziz"