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<< -- 3 -- Carson P Cooman UNIQUE MUSICAL VISION
The two works are Birrung (1997) for eleven strings and Nguurraa (2000-01) for clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion. Both works have titles taken from Australian aboriginal languages which deal with landscapes and space. The works are short and slowly moving -- with quiet surfaces.
The final work, 'Caeli enarrant...' III (1990-2000) for twelve strings, three percussionists and boy soprano is a evocative piece in three movements. The instrumental colors Lentz draws from the unusual ensemble are quite creative and distinct. The twelve strings are divided into three quartets; the three percussionists play tubular bells and glockenspiels at occasional points, and the wordless boy soprano blends with the string color to create a mystical and otherworldly atmosphere [listen -- track 9, 0:00-1:00]
This disc and the music is very strongly recommended. Lentz's sound world is an incredibly varied one. Yet it never lacks cohesion, and his works make substantial and original musical statements. This reviewer looks forward to more works and more recordings by this extremely talented composer.
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