Paul Muller reviews Nadia Shpachenko’s new recording, The Poetry of Places for Sequenza 21:

“The playing here is crisp and seamlessly coordinated, even as the rapidly complex phrases seem to explode into motion at every moment. Frank’s House is a wild musical ride through an artistic mind unburdened by limitations. … Harold Metzer’s In Full Sail for solo piano … smoothly alternates between the serious and the sprightly, with lighthearted stretches bubbling up from under the darker passages. … Sí an Bhrú for piano and electronics, by Jack Van Zant… is a wonderfully atmospheric piece with each element carefully crafted and lucidly performed. … Hannah Lash’s Give Me Your Songs for solo piano… is controlled and even, with quietly straightforward phrases that effectively build a slight tension. A hymn-like finish provides a welcome return to the opening sense of optimism. … The simplicity of materials and the engaging nature of the rhythms make h.o.p.e. a fine tribute to the transforming power of art. … Alone, in waters shimmering and dark is a carefully crafted portrait of nature and solitude, delicately played. … Bangladesh is an impressive rendering of formal architecture into eloquent music. … Kolokol is a beautifully crafted piece that brings the listener face to face with an aural touchstone of Russian history. The Poetry of Places is an impressive collection of new works by outstanding contemporary composers, performed by first-rate musicians. The extensive artwork and informative 32-page booklet make this album an important reference for understanding the creative processes at work in new music today.”

—Paul Muller, Sequenza 21

See the full review on Sequenza21.com