Babbitt Works for Treble Voice and Piano
Nina Berman (soprano), Steve Beck, Eric Huebner (piano)
New Focus Recordings FCR-349
Soprano and pianist tease out all the otherworldliness and emotional variety of these works, spanning half a century of Babbitt’s extensive, experimental career. On Du, in particular, there’s delight in the endless possibilities of both music and language. (SW)
Bertolotti • Rota et al Works for Flute and Harp
Claudio Ortensi (flute), Anna Pasetti (harp) Tactus TC 910005
Rota’s well-known Sonata is joined by four other flute- and-harp compositions by lesser-known 20th-century Italian composers. A neoclassical grace dominates and, while not all of the music absorbs all of the time, the combination’s dreamy, yearning emotional landscapes are convincingly explored. (SW)
