Kudos to Kuusisto, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Pentatone for this adventurous programming. This recording marks the beginning of Kuusisto’s tenure as Artistic Director of the orchestra, and in these performances the palpable connection between him and the orchestra suggests we have much to look forward to from this musical partnership.
The album also celebrates the relationship that has developed between Kuusisto and Muhly since they first worked together in 2010. Muhly’s “Shrink,” a new concerto for violin and strings, was written for and dedicated to Kuusisto, who premiered the work in Melbourne in December 2019. Its three movements focus on intervals of decreasing size (Ninths, Sixths, and Turns). “Ninths” is angular and intense, the solo violin sometimes in sync with the orchestra, at others battling against it. An incessant motor rhythm propels the music inexorably forward, though Muhly’s inventiveness ensures an ever changing and continually fascinating texture. There is a particularly wonderful passage where the driving rhythm suddenly withdraws into the background (track 1, 4’30”), creating a welcome oasis of calm.
The second movement, “Sixths.” explores that calm more thoroughly, in a new wandering and ethereal theme. The solo line becomes more rhythmically active, answered by chastising grumblings from the low strings. Eventually the orchestra leaves the soloist alone to wander, somewhat aimlessly, lost in his thoughts. The final movement is breathtakingly virtuosic, its frenetic and driving rhythms suggestive of hard rock. The sudden dynamic changes, accents and changing meters create a dizzying kaleidoscope of patterns.
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Kuusisto and the NCO play this difficult music with commanding authority and unmistakable enthusiasm, every technical hurdle fully mastered. Articulation is consistently clear and phrases/repeating patterns are shaped with care and conviction. The playing has plenty of verve, the orchestra more than matching Kuusisto’s extroverted bravura. Yet they also relish the many moments of delicate introspection, mining an unexpected and touching emotional depth.
“The Orchard” is part of Philip Glass’s incidental music for Jean Genet’s play “The Screens.” The music has little harmonic development, the piano maintaining a steady, stoic pulse as the violin, moving through different registers, creates a forlorn, keening atmosphere. Despite being recorded at a distance, with Kuusisto and Muhly on opposite sides of the Atlantic, the music’s deeply felt emotion is fully communicated.
The album concludes with Glass’s String Quartet No. 3 “Mishima,” in Kuusisto’s transcription for string orchestra. Its six movements are taken from the composer’s film score for “Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters,” directed by Paul Schrader. While performances by the Kronos and Carducci Quartets (Nonesuch and Naxos) have an undeniable intimacy, Kuusisto’s elegant and sophisticated rendition allows for a greater variety of color and texture that is wholly convincing.
All the music is played with passion and commitment – this is a musical partnership to celebrate. Kuusisto’s playing is well-nigh flawless and intensely musical, and he elicits equally compelling playing from his orchestra. Indeed, the communicativeness and excellence of these performances might convert those who struggle with music written in a ‘minimalist style.’
Pentatone’s ancillary materials are exceptional – Andrew Mellor’s notes are erudite and engaging, and the booklet includes several color photos taken from the recording sessions. While a total timing of 47 minutes may seem too short, most of this recording was made (as noted above) during the pandemic and it feels like a small miracle that it was even completed. Recommended with enthusiasm.
“First Light”
Nico Muhly – “Shrink” (Concerto for Violin and Strings)
Philip Glass – The Orchard (from The Screens), String Quartet No. 3, “Mishima”
Pekka Kuusisto – Violin and Conductor
Nico Muhly – Piano
Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
Pentatone, CD PTC 5186745
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