My latest CD mini-review for the WRTI E-newsletter. You can read all my CD reviews here.
Paul Moravec, Tempest Fantasy
Tempest Fantasy, Mood Swings, B.A.S.S. Variations, Scherzo
Trio Solisti, David Krakauer, clarinet
Naxos 8.559323
Moravec hits on all cylinders: soaring melody, intricate harmony, propulsive rhythm, complexity, transparency, intelligence, humor, and above all, beauty. Listen to Tempest Fantasy for piano trio and clarinet, the 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner. It’s not program music, but reflections inspired by Shakespeare’s play, and each one is a gem. Take a listen, and if you think that it would also make perfect ballet music, you would not be alone: ballet companies are dancing to it already.
Paul’s music is clear, unfussy, heartfelt, and always, always singing. If you think that describes an opera composer, you would not be alone: his first opera, The Letter, on a libretto by the music and drama critic Terry Teachout, is set for a 2009 premiere with Santa Fe Opera. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and check out this disc from one of the most articulate composers writing today.