Ellen Taaffe Zwilich - Chamber Symphony / Eleanor Cory - Profiles (1992)

This CD features the work of two outstanding composers. It records works of significance and affords the opportunity to hear early chamber pieces by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich and highly individual pieces by Eleanor Cory. Historically, this CD must be viewed as an important musical statement. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Chamber Symphony, written in 1979, and her String Quartet, written in 1974 and dedicated to Roger Sessions, is distinguished by clear, flowing lines, sparse textures and a seamless weaving between instruments. Moving at an unhurried pace, these works are contemplative, reflecting on the various motives that deliver more questions rather than answers. A sense of aloneness pervades these works but Zwilich concludes, with a resolution beautifully expressed in a short calm, an epilogue in which questions appear to have been answered. Profiles, written in 1986 by Eleanor Cory, is scored for clarinet, cello, and piano. In her program notes, Eleanor Cory says that "the music in Profiles moves in and out of focus; obscure and mysterious passages evolve into clear and direct "profiles", with distinctive musical characters." This is an extremely apt description. Profiles is an intriguing work and just as Ellen Taaffe Zwilich sought and discovered her own musical language so the same might be said of Eleanor Cory. Happily there are very distinct contrasts in the "language" of each composer, and the contrasts are welcome and complementary on this CD.

Tracklist

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich

Chamber Symphony 15:06

String Quartet 13:35
I 3:12
II 2:16
III 5:08
IV 2:58

Sonata in Three Movements 10:36
I - Liberamente 5:06
II - Lento e molto espressivo 3:39
III - Allegro vivo e con brio 1:51

Eleanor Cory

Profiles 9:34
I - Quarter Note = 66 3:45
II - Adagio; piu mosso 3:45
III - Eighth note = 160 2:02

Apertures 11:52

Designs 11:25


Allen Blustine, clarinet; Christopher Finckel, cello; Stephen Erdody, cello; Brian Dembow, viola; William Fitzpatrick, violin; Paul Kanto, violin; Arioso Trio; Joseph Zwilich, violin; Richard Pittman, Conductor; Boston Musica Viva; Harold Lewin, piano; Judith Davidoff, cello; James Gemmell, piano; New York String Quartet; Aleck Karis, piano; Benjamin Hudson, violin

New World NWCR621