Vocalise CD Review by Matthew Warnock – January 2011
author: Dael
The human voice is a magnificent instrument, one that can scream to the rafters, sending chills down one’s spine, and immediately after deliver a performance so heart wrenching that it leaves not a dry eye in the house. American composer Brian J. Nelson is an artist that fully grasps the immense range and texture of vocal music, and how powerful the medium of songs can be in developing an emotional connection with his audience. His latest recording, Vocalise, is a celebration of vocal works and song, full of stellar musicianship, intense emotional turns and world-class composing and arranging.
One of the most interesting and compelling aspects of the album is that it is named after a work written not for the voice, but for the cello. “Vocalise for Solo Cello” starts off the album with a performance that is so fluid and organic that it sounds as if the cellist is simply improvising the melodies for each section of the piece, an accomplishment of the highest merit in the compositional world. Using vibrato, careful phrasing and sustained notes, the cello takes on the character of a vocalist during the piece, bringing the instrument to life as it weaves and flows through each line and phrase of the work. It may seem like an odd choice to begin an album titled Vocalise with a piece for cello, but upon hearing the work it becomes apparent that the album is a statement on the universal character of song, that song can be expressed clearly and effectively with lyrics just as well as it can in an instrumental piece.
The vocal pieces on the album are just as compelling as the opening work for cello. It is quite apparent that Nelson feels a strong connection to the voice and to vocalists, and his writing portrays this connection. Works such as “Three Motets” are masterfully written for multiple voices. With a strong focus on melody and melodic development, these works showcase many different vocal writing techniques, all done with the utmost attention to detail and musicianship. There are moments where the voices swell in and out of the forefront, passing the listener’s attention from one singer to the next, while at other moments the group sings as a whole and in others the men and women sing separately. This kind of compositional diversity speaks highly of the creative nature of Nelson’s work, and in his ability to draw the listener in with the variety of textures and melodic combinations he uses in his works.
Vocalise is an enjoyable album that appeals to both fans of the genre and musical scholars at the same time. Casual listeners will be able to become lost in each piece as melody and harmony come together in exciting and captivating ways. It is a testament to Nelson’s writing style that he can maintain the highest musical integrity of his pieces, while allowing his works to be enjoyed by non-musicians, and even newcomers to the genre, at the same time.
As well, fellow composers and students of vocal works and song will find plenty of inspiration in Nelson’s writing, especially the fact that he is able to write works that are emotional, entertaining and musically interesting at the same time. It is a rarity it seems in today’s classical music world to find a composer that can keep things interesting and listenable at the same time, while avoiding being an imitation of eras gone by, two things that Nelson accomplishes on this record.
Review by Matthew Warnock
Matthew Warnock is a professional guitarist and pedagogue. He is the editor of Guitar International Magazine. He can be reached through his website at http://www.mattwarnockguitar.com/
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Exquisite Classical/Chamber Compositions
author: Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Discover the exquisite Classical/Chamber compositions on the superb album, “Vocalise - Instrumental and Vocal Music of Brian J. Nelson.” As an inspired composer, Nelson has established reflective spiritual meditations throughout his CD with well produced vocals and instruments. The album starts with the song, “Vocalise for Solo Cello, Op. 1 (feat. Matthew Herren),” as one can sense the tender and heartfelt emotions that ring forth from the poignant cello as it plays a stirring melody. The choral composition, “Three Motets, Op. 7, No. I: Tears (feat. Melanie Melcher Cuthbertson, Amy Waldron, Paula Brekken, Leah Jenkins, Jay Van Blaricum, Jason Parr, Brady Shepherd, Benjamin Winters),” presents angelic voices that sing with divine tonality. The soothing piano caresses the emotive violin on, “Ballade for Violin and Piano, Op. 15 (feat. Ellen Bottorff, Tami Lee Hughes),” as this insightful song absorbs you into a calm and reserving mood. Let the beautiful works on the sweet and delicate album, “Vocalise - Instrumental and Vocal Music of Brian J. Nelson,” relax your mind and body while soothing your soul.
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