Extraordinary percussion sounds, warm, melodious singing and connecting piano playing. American composer, violinist, singer and producer Caroline Shaw wrote Narrow Sea especially for the New York percussion quartet Sō Percussion, pianist Gilbert Kalish and soprano Dawn Upshaw. In the five-part work she combines a new melodic setting of texts from the 19th century song collection The Sacred Harp
… with a surprising universe of sounds. Dedicated to people seeking refuge, the lyrics refer to water (as a barrier between this life and the next) and a feeling of joy and nostalgia for heaven. In the second piece Taxidermy, ceramic flower pots of different sizes (and thus pitches) take centre stage, alongside vibraphone and marimba. Interesting works from the youngest ever winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Music; that was in 2013 for her Partita For 8 Voices. (SvdP)more
