A
visionary performer, especially one as sonorously inquisitive and brazen as
trumpet virtuoso Sergei Nakariakov (see his indescribable performance of Jörg
Widmann’s Ad Absurdum) will always relish the role of explorer and
discoverer. With Garland of Sonnets, Nakariakov, brilliantly accompanied
by his frequent collaborator, pianist Maria Meerovitch covers 21
selections from three modern – and very interesting - composers - Youli
Galperine, Alfred Schnittke, and Giya Kancheli.
The first segment of the album, Suite in the Old Style offers 5 tracks composed in 1972 by Alfred Schnittke and arranged here by the performers. The work pays homage to the great suite works of the 18th Century. The Pastorale opens the session with Meerovitch’s expressively stating the lilting 6/8 melody. Nakariakov’s robust flugelhorn joins. It is a splendid, evocative opener.
The Ballet is an energetic foray and smacks of courtly
goings on. The texture, played with pure precision by both horn and keys, builds
to a grand finale statement. The romantically-tinged Minuet is graceful
and a minor-keyed dreamlike offering. The Fugue gives us a faster
statement and the performers revel in the contrapuntal contortions. Both
players demonstrate fine command and seem to joyfully relish in the his-her
fray. Pantomine is aurally inventive, dramatic and, in somewhat of a quirky
way, marches on to a romantic, unresolved end.
The
titled selections are a grouping of five pieces from Youli Galperine His
stylings are highly expressive and thought-provoking. The No. 2 Andante
is a darker, minimalist statement with pianist Meerovitch setting the platform
for Nakariakov’s balletic, imaginative playing. The Moderato Con Moto is
an energized melody with Nakariakov and Meerovitch buzzing on the flittering
melody. This is an involving, dramatic track. The No. 4 Moderato extends
the motif heard on the prior track.
Nakariakov’s lyricism is on glorious display here. Meerovitch’s is very much a joined-at-the
hip partner, presenting a texture more joyous than what revels above. The fifth
selection, Moderato completes the Galperine grouping. It is an aurally
stimulating finale.
Nakariakov
and Meerovitch have worked together for quite a long time. The pair possesses a
special form of melodic and textural communication wherein each of their
respective nuances of melodic and dynamic interpretation and ebb and flow are
mirrored. Nakariakov is, of course, a technical wizard who can make the
instrument do the impossible while also creating what dwells in his fecund
imagination. His lyrical, vocalized playing and use of the flugelhorn’s vast sonic
colors on this recording is sine pari. Meerovitch is a marvelously
gifted pianist whose touch is angelic and whose ability to draw lush, idyllic
and, at times, dramatic aural images is magnificent. The production values on
this recording are A-1.
Gaya
Kancheli’s 18 Miniatures for Violin comprise the last grouping on this
album. The first, Lontano, which means distant or vague, is a minimal,
yet expressive melodic gem. Nakariakov expresses over Meerovitch’s solid
underpinnings. No. 2 Quasi Ragtime is a quirky, minimalist hoot. The
flugelhorn, avian-like, pecks and pops as the keyboard answers in engaging back
and forth. Simple Music for Piano No. 3 - Pastoso for solo piano
has very much of a Michel Legrand or Francis Lai vibe. Meerovitch, spotlight on
her, draws every bit of emotion out of Kancheli’s almost cinematic lines. That
is no surprise sine the composer scored and performed on dozens of films. No.
7 Con Energio - Secco has an ethnic-like melody and a humorous midsection
with Meerovitch deep down in the bass end and Nakariakov dancing above. Simple
Music for Piano No. 17 Con Anima Rubato Molto, another selection for solo
piano, is a minute and twenty-second romantic, heart-grab of a performance in
which Meerovitch captures you. The track is downright replay-addictive. No.
17 – Cantabile has Nakariakov brilliantly delivering the deeply-moving
vocal-tinged melodic line in the manner of its title. It is a purely genuine
and enthralling cut.
Garland
of Sonnets is a fascinating journey across the
works of three outstanding – and diverse – composers. Maestro Nakariakov and
Maestra Meerovitch deliver a boffo performance worthy not only of your
ear, but that of your heart and soul. Nick Mondello
Victor Jacquemont: (recording/mixing at Studio de la Seine); Georges Petillault (recording at EGP Studio); Andrei Freidine (mastering); Felix L Salazar (cover photo); Liza Stetsenko (art work).
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