Daniel Janke – Map of You
Rachel Fenlon
Centrediscs CMCCD 32323 (danieljanke.bandcamp.com/album/map-of-you)
The music recorded on Centrediscs is increasingly wondrous and challenging. This “existential” repertoire by Daniel Janke is a wonderful example of this. Vocalist and pianist Rachel Fenlon interprets Janke’s Map of You, an exquisite song cycle densely packed with ideas, emotions, and depth of thought.
The idea of dealing with “existential material” of this kind is sensational, with its mixture of beautiful arias and recitatives. The theme of Love in all its aspects is challenging. For instance, the songs – The Drunken Lover and Two Oranges in My Pocket – may even change your way of perceiving characteristics of love in opera.
Map of You is a work in progress by Daniel. It is beautifully interiorized by Rachel Fenlon who renders it in a wonderful manner. There may not be a better shaping of an operatic character. I am fairly sure that as the producers dug deepest, they found an exquisite partnership. Brava tutti.
Listen to 'Daniel Janke: Map of You' Now in the Listening Room
