The Street: Nico Muhly & Alice Goodman

Parker Ramsay

Released on 14-10-2022 by Kings College Cambridge
Main artists: Parker Ramsay
Genre: Klassiek

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Born in 1991, Parker Ramsay is one of the most talented harpists of his generation. After his first album, which contained arrangements of the Goldberg Variations and received high praise from Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine, he’s back with a second album released by Kings College Recordings - the label belonging to the eponymous choir. Similar to the previous album, this release opens with a new arrangement of the Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor BWV 826 by Bach. It’s impossible to find fault with this sublime interpretation that’s nothing short of flawless. The impeccable articulation; the meticulous care given to the different ranges; the perfectly measured suspension and phrasing: it all makes this rereading a true gem. It’s made all the more impressive since a harpist is faced with a challenge that doesn’t arise in the piano or harpsichord version: maintaining the legibility of the melodic lines despite the resonance of the instrument. It's fair to say that Ramsay gets off without a hitch here. The next part of the release presents The Street, a contemporary work by American post-minimalist composer Nico Muhly, known for his various collaborations with singer Björk, composer Philip Glass and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, amongst others. Conceived as a variation on the Fourteen Stations of the Cross, a part of the Christian tradition, The Street is performed in two versions. The first is for solo harp, which gives the listener the option to follow along with Alice Goodman’s text provided in the booklet. The second is a full version featuring the Kings College Choir singing and reading Goodman's texts. The choir singing interspersed with the reading and the harp score prevents the text from becoming an oratorio libretto and entails a much more interesting and introspective product. It’s fascinating how listening to these two versions in conjunction highlights the depth of the musical part, which works just as well in its purely instrumental version as it does in its textual arrangement. Whether or not the listener is one of faith, it’s impossible to remain unmoved by the driving force behind this stunning work, which expresses an overwhelming yet ultimately soothing spirituality. This is a fascinating record that’s only enhanced by the unique acoustics of the Kings College Chapel. © Pierre Lamy/Qobuz

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The Street: Nico Muhly & Alice Goodman

Parker Ramsay

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Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826: I. Sinfonia