October 1, 2018

  • Journeys on Piano

     

    Journeys
    Jeri-Mae G. Astolfi, piano.
    Ravello Records 7995
    Total Time:  64:56
    Recording:   ****/****
    Performance: ****/****

    Composer Ed Martin (b. 1976) teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Among his teachers are Stephen Taylor and Dan Welcher.  Martin’s music has been performed around the world.  In this new Ravello release, three of his works for piano are featured, two of which were written for the performer on this album, Jeri-Mae G. Astolfi.  The music moves carefully across distinct journeys each almost seamlessly flowing from one work to the next.

    The Three Pieces for Piano (2006) were written for pianist Ji-eun Yun.  “Fanfares” features a mixture of motives that move the listener emotionally in often terse ideas.  Harmonic ideas then become the focus of the appropriately named “Reflections”.  Where the first movement explored specific lines and rhythmic repetition, the second is more related to time and sound with the pedal being used to have the chords sound longer.  Some of the harsh accents of the first movement appear as well.  “Soar” closes the work off with a flurry of motion that slowly builds with an angular line in slow counterpoint to the flurries in the upper register.  This eventually evolves into harmonic ideas that work themselves in alternation with the single piano line explorations of the upper range of the keyboard.  Eventually, some of the first movement’s motives come back for some intense dramatic punctuations in the final bars.

    The eight-minute Swirling Sky (2014) was originally for piano and additional electroacoustic effects.  This solo version explores its own unique musical journey.  One might think of this more as an impressionistic arabesque of blurred lines that unfold slowly as wisps of sound.  The little running passages are interspersed with more open harmonic ideas to suggest possible shapes and images.  Martin explores the extremes of the piano more in this work which helps open up the musical palette nicely.

    Journey (2015-17) is a multi-movement work that essentially explores the interval of a minor third.  It is the most significant of the works presented here.  After its most purely laid out form in the opening “Soul” which lays it bare, the idea is then sent through a variety of emotional permutations.  The dramatic titles for each of the 11 movements lends the listener an idea as to what emotional content is intended to help guide them on this personal musical journey.  The extremes of the piano are also used more often in these works with interesting quiet sections in its lower register.  Martin manages to find a lot of different ways to unpack this smallest motivic package.  The music tends to be more restrained and so when it finally begins to move in “Obsession” and “Manic” it livens things up just enough.  Later, “Grit” adds some interesting rhythmic syncopations flirting with jazz accents.  The final movement is an exercise in quietude.

    The collection of contemporary piano music each takes the listener on an interesting exploration of sounds and shapes.  The titles provide a glimpse into the dramatic or emotional thrust of the music which tends to be mostly modern in its harmonic language though it is not terribly harsh.