Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica deliver another excellent recording in "Silencio", on the Nonesuch label. Featuring music of three twentieth century composers, this CD contains performances which are moving and dramatic.Arvo Part's "Tabula Rasa" gets its most spacious recording yet on disc. The first movement, "Ludus", is performed with long pauses of silence between the dramatic utterances of strings and prepared piano. At 10:21, this is longer than any of the other three performances I own of this piece. The second movement, "Silentium", times at 18:24, including about a half-minute of recorded silence at the end of the movement. This is over five minutes longer than Neeme Jarvi's fine recording for Deutsche Grammophon. But length alone is not the measure of the caliber of this performance - orchestra and soloists give wonderful, broad performances, letting this great work breathe calmly and fully.
The four short movements of "Company" by Philip Glass are rich with color and rhythmic energy. Fans of Richard Einhorn's "Voices of Light" will enjoy this brief work.
"Come In" by Vladimir Martynov was a revelation. I found a single reference to this composer on the web - it mentioned stylistic similarities with Arvo Part and an output of predominantly sacred vocal music. "Come In" is a meditation on a hymn-like tune; the tune is restated in each of the six movements with slight changes in structure. Each restatement is followed by a variation for two violin soloists. The music is sweet, romantic without becoming sickening, and gives the effect of joyful anticipation frozen in sound. You will not want this piece to end, and when it does you will have to supply the closure. Whether or not the door is opened will be for you to decide.
The program concludes with a premiere recording of "Darf ich..." by Arvo Part. It shares harmonic similarities with "Kanon Pokajanen" and is once again superbly performed by Kremer and the Kremerata.
This disc goes on my short list of favorite recordings. You won't be disappointed!
