Review: O Mistress Moon: Canadian Edition | Ludwig Montreal

Ludwig Montreal This week, our column ventures on the side of instrumental music of classical inspiration or "modern classical" as we say in the language of Shakespeare, with pianist Jennifer King, we rediscover Lionel Daunais, unknown singer and composer from Quebec, and we find the excellent David Jalbert, this time in Prokofiev. Good listening! 

Jennifer King/ O Mistress Moon/ Leaf Music 

Is it music in the strict sense of the term, good question? In the wake of what the pianist Lea Streliski, Jean-Michel Blais (except for his last which is orchestral) and of course the ineffable Ludovico Enaudi accomplish, we could consider that this novelty is sailing in these waters. From the first notes of the libretto, the table is set. "This collection of solo piano pieces inspired by Canada, the moon and the cosmos is designed to invite introspection." 

In other words, we are in a therapeutic environment, without however yielding to the sirens of any guru. It is true this alloy has a certain charisma, provided that we do not abuse it. In the intimate register, we prefer the unforgettable Samson François or the jazz pianist Bill Evans a thousand times over. With her Nocturnes 1, 2 and 3, Atlantic composer Sandy Moore unveils a triple that evokes Erik Satie, while: Nocturnes, Op 97, Rivers Freezing Over Moon as well as Espace by the composer from Prince Edward Island Richard Gibson, wants to be even more meditative. With Astral Image, melodist Jean Coulthard recalls the immensity of the territory, in a very rhythmic way. If we don't cultivate the genre, kudos to pianist Jennifer King who divulged the work of composers we hear little about. Christophe Rodriguez