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AMERICAN VIGNETTES Contemporary Works for Cello and Piano features cellist Aron Zelkowicz and pianist Christina Wright-Ivanova, two Canadian expats now based in Boston, in works drawing from influences as varied as the blues, jazz, Broadway, spirituals, folksong and the Wild West (Toccata Next TOCN 0023 toccataclassics.com/product/american-vignettes-contemporary-works-for-cello-and-piano).
The five-piece Differences from 1996 by Carter Pann (b.1972) makes a terrific opener. The very effective 1995 jazzy triptych Manhattan Serenades by Gabriela Lena Frank (b.1972) is a first recording, as is the 2014 Noir Vignettes, four pieces of 1940s cinematic imagery by Stacy Garrop (b.1969).
Margaret Bonds (1913-72) was a protégée of Florence Price. Her Troubled Water from c.1952, originally for solo piano was based on the jubilee song “Wade in the Water” and arranged for cello by her in 1964.The 2004 Air by Kevin Puts (b.1972) and 1988’s six American Vignettes by Stephen Paulus (1949-2014) complete the recital.
Highly entertaining works, superbly played and with outstanding booklet notes by Zelkowicz make for a really impressive release.
American Vignettes