Used Bin Troll Tweets SSS.

Ethelbert Nevin

[January 2024.]

Franz LISZT: Transcendental Études, S. 139 (1852). Haochen Zhang (pno). BIS BIS-2681 (1 SACD) (www.bis.se).

Does the world need more Liszt? YES, if it’s like Zhang’s, who powers beyond the requisite virtuosity with cartoon-score drollness and irony.

“Two Orchestras, One Symphony.” Jacques HÉTU: Symphony No. 5, Op. 81 (2010). Orchestre du Centre national des Arts du Canada, Orchestre symphonique de Québec, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, Alexander Shelley (cond.). Analekta AN28890 (1 CD) (www.outhere-music.com).

Paul Éluard’s Liberté caps Hétu’s final opus, a towering lyric reflection upon France’s perseverance during the German occupation. PEUT-ÊTRE.

Žibuoklė MARTINAITYTĖ: In Search of Lost Beauty… (2016). FortVio: (Indrė Baikštytė (pno), Ingrida Rupaitė-Petrikienė (vln), Povilas Jacunskas (vlc). Starkland ST-231 (1 CD) (www.starkland.com).

Audio alone does not fully express the ghostliness of this piano trio with electronics plus video which intrigues but scarcely yields. MAYBE.

Karlheinz STOCKHAUSEN: Klavierstück X (1961). Ludwig van BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106, “Hammerklavier” (1817). Marc Ponthus (pno). Bridge Records 9584 (1 CD) (www.bridgerecords.com).

Such German greats! Ach, what could have been! But this passing glimpse of guru Stockhausen doesn’t offset Ponthus’ cramped Beethoven. NEIN.

“Emphatic Now.” Douglas R. EWART, Christian ASPLUND and Steven RICKS: Var. comps. Ewart Asplund Ricks Trio: Douglas R. Ewart (woodwinds, didgeridoo, perc, voice, texts), Christian Asplund (vla, pno), Steven Ricks (trb, electronics). Neuma Records Neuma 181 (www.neumarecords.org).

Colorful, witty, unexpected, riotous, unpredictable, celebratory, inscrutable, infuriating, brisk, cheesy, goofy, profane, illuminating. YES.

“Wild at Heart.” Yoon-Ji LEE: Shakonn (2014). Elizabeth HOFFMAN: morsels (2018). Annie GOSFIELD: Long Waves and Random Pulses (2012). John KING: C-H-A-C-O-N-N-E (2013). Pauline Kim Harris (vln). Sono Luminus DSL-92253 (1 CD) (www.sonoluminus.com).

Nothing against Harris’ solo labors, but shouldn’t Bach’s great Chaconne spur fewer notes, more contemplation, awe and transcendence? MAYBE.