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Click here to return to the main site. Classical Music Review
Musician-led ensemble Palaver Strings releases its new album of music by diverse female composers, Ready or Not, on Azica Records. Works on the album include Grażyna Bacewicz’s 'Concerto for String Orchestra'; 'Non può il mio cuore' by Venetian singer, lutenist, and composer Maddalena Casulana; composer Barbara Strozzi’s madrigal 'Lagrime mie' featuring a performance by mezzo-soprano Sophie Michaux; Chicago-based multi-genre composer, vocalist, pianist, and producer Akenya Seymour’s 'Fear the Lamb'; and a set of fiddle tunes by two Portland-based fiddlers, Liz Knowles and Palaver’s own Elizabeth Moore... Diversity is key on Palmer Strings' Ready or Not. While it's an interesting hook, it's not overly important that this is an album made up of works by women. What matters is the quality of the material, and here each and every piece has been carefully chosen to ensure that the album, as a whole, showcases many aspects of the classical genre. We have the traditional 'Concerto for String Orchestra', the more modern 'Non può il mio cuore'; the operatic 'Diporti di Euterpe, Op. 7'; the jazz-based avant-garde 'Fear the Lamb' and the Celtic feel of 'Treehouse - Jig for John'. It's a beautifully produced release, the only possible issue is that its main strength, that of diversity, may also be the aspect that turns some people off. Personally I didn't care for the avant-garde elements, even though I appreciated their inclusion. Overall, though, an enjoyable collection that will enrich your music library. Grażyna Bacewicz Maddalena Casulana Barbara Strozzi Akenya Seymour Liz Knowles and Elizabeth Moore 7 Darren Rea Buy this item online
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