Sonatas for Cello and Clarinet

Composer Andrew Violette’s tenth album for innova Recordings arrives from over the broad horizon, to reveal a wealth of strange stories and images of its tumultuous voyage. At least, this is the best we can surmise. This album arrived bundled with a scrawled note from the composer himself, quoting Michelangelo and waving goodbye as he set off from the Island of Cythera. Mysterious indeed. Here see for yourself:

"Borne in a fragile boat upon a stormy sea I complete the course of my life." —Michelangelo

It is told that the cello piece describes the arc of a Drunken Boat as it roves toward breakwaters of death. It passes a funeral procession of Mournful Bells, then Glorious Bells, then a rush. There's even a surreal cha-cha in the mix. The piece careens toward the deathly key of B minor. Its heart is dark like winter light. How could the cellist have sustained this "all melody all the time," this "modern yet ethereal effect"? That he does so is a testament to his extraordinary virtuosity.

In contrast, the short, happy sonata for clarinet, set almost entirely in lyric clarino tones, seems to evoke a Magic Flute but by way of Morton Feldman. It is unknown how the clarinetist manages to sustain such long lines in a single breath.

The cello tale is passionately conveyed by the long bowing arm of Ben Capps, who is no stranger to Violette’s ways (having recorded his Songs and Dances a while back). There’s Faure, Franck, Copland and Bach behind the arras. The clarinet tale is jauntily told by Moran Katz, evidently revealing the happier side of nautical life.

Frank J Oteri of NewMusicBox has described Violette’s music as “equal parts Messiaen and prog rock, if you can imagine such a co-mingling” and further says “Violette’s new sound world is simultaneously restless and strangely comforting” and “music that is as new as it is romantic.” There’s no prog rock here but a luminous voyage is guaranteed for all who embark upon the journey.