classical aaron jay kernis colored field (virgin) HHHH

ACCESSIBILITY: that is the quandary facing 21st-century classical music. Just ask anyone at Scottish Opera. But for die-hard classical fans, "accessible" can really mean "dumbed-down", so when that's how someone bills themselves, alarm bells start ringing. Very loudly. Yet American composer Aaron Jay Kernis achieves accessibility without any artistic compromise, although the influence of many of his countrymen - Copland and Ives are two that spring to mind - is there for everyone to hear. The main work on this album, cello concerto Colored Field, is a depressingly bleak but striking musical take on the Holocaust, with cellist Truis Mrk's inspired performance adding to the wonderful imagery on offer. Of the other two pieces, Air is the weakest, while Musica Celestis has an ethereal beauty that is both moving and uplifting.

Philip Gates

Copyright 2001
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