Sy Brandon's Flirtatins is a refreshing delight, showcasing the playful oboe of Anita Ranucci Brandon and others.  It is all that I had hoped for! Wonderful!
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Flirtations is a new CD of five highly amicable works for oboe by contemporary composer Sy Brandon.  The first piece is Three Flirtations, composed for the husband-wife duo of Lauren Murray, oboe and English horn, and Robert Murray, trumpet and flugel horn.  The three-movement work is very listenable with wonderful lyrical lines, especially in the second movement in which the players switch to their lower instruments.  With impeccable intonation between them, both performers are fine players who flow from each other seamlessly and blend together beautifully.

The second work, Prelude, Baccahanal, and Reverie, begins with broad sweeping lines beautifully played by oboist Anita Ranucci Brandon, ably assisted by pianist Maria Corley.  The Bacchanal has interesting cross rhythms and syncopations that give it a quirky lilting feel, along with more sweeping, lyrical lines that occasionally float on top of the rhythmic piano.  This moves directly into the Reverie, which is styled as its title would indicate.  Notable are numerous appoggiaturas begging to be leaned into.  This work, with its slow-fast-slow grouping of movements, provides ample opportunity for the oboe to show off its ability to make beautiful, expansive lines.

The Suite for Oboe and Piano, also commendably played by Anita Ranucci Brandon and Maria Corley has an abrupt end to the “Introduction,” which takes the listener by surprise.  It is followed yet again by another beautifully lyric moment with the “Song,” answered by a unique quirkiness in the “Danse” and a more angular “Finale.”

Lyric Piece and Dance is just as the title indicates.  Yet Dr. Brandon cannot hide his innate lyricism which alternates with more angular moments in the Dance.  Again, the work is admirably played by the same oboe-piano duo.

Divertissement, composed for The Cadence Music Ensemble of Tricia Wlazlo, oboe, Alan Stocking, percussion, and Sandra Carey-Sheaffer, piano, is clearly the most acrobatic work on the recording, notably in the opening “Intrada.”   This directly contrasts with the return to lyricism in “Nocturne.”  “Valse” is a lilting waltz with 21st century harmonies and interplay between the drum, oboe and piano, followed by a Prokofieffesque “Marche.”  With sprinkles of stardust sounding from the percussion, there is ample room for rubato and expressive shaping of the oboe lines in “Romanza,” and the “Galop” provides a romping end to an enjoyable work.  As a whole, this is possibly the most demanding ensemble work on the program, but still quite accessible to performers and listeners alike, and superbly played by this unique trio.

Overall, the CD is enjoyable, listenable 20th century contemporary classical music for the oboe and friends.  All works are worthy additions to the oboe player’s repertoire.  As this CD clearly indicates, Dr. Brandon knows how to exploit the oboe’s greatest asset of lyricism, and the influence of at least one of his teachers, Warren Benson, is clearly evident throughout.
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Flirtations  presents five excellent additions to the chamber music repertoire featuring the oboe. Spanning a period of 36 years, each composition was expertly  written for a  different situation; the tender Prelude given by the composer to his wife on their anniversary, the student piece with its clear forms and expressive lyricism, and two works to meet the requests of specific ensembles. All show the extent of the oboe’s technical capabilities while emphasizing its expressive qualities, ranging from playful to sultry, tender to sarcastic, mournful to jubilant. To this writer, the strongest element featured is the interplay between the various instruments involved, from the programmatic suggestions by oboe and trumpet in the title piece, to the wonderful and imaginative use of percussion in Divertissement. The use of piano was always in dialogue with the other instruments, never strictly as an accompaniment. With three different oboists represented, comparisons are invited, but all performers were excellent and the CD works well with the diversity.
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