Carollo, J.: Transcendence in the Age of War / Saggese Guitar Suite / String Quintet No. 1 / Fear of Angst / Desiderio

$16.99 (ENHANCED CD)

Link to this ENHANCED CD

Saggese Guitar Suite (more info)
Composed by: John A. Carollo
Christian Saggese, guitar


1.   I. — - 00:07:28
2.   II. — - 00:04:41
3.   III. — - 00:01:56
4.   IV. — - 00:05:10


Desiderio (more info)
Performed by: Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra
Composed by: John A. Carollo
Conducted by: Vit Micka


5.   Desiderio - 00:04:47


String Quintet No. 1 (more info)
Composed by: John A. Carollo
Conducted by: Vit Micka
Christian Saggese, guitar


6.   I. Both sides of the divide - 00:08:27
7.   II. The boundary wall - 00:05:10
8.   III. Divide and conquer - 00:05:03


Fear of Angst (more info)
Composed by: John A. Carollo


9.   I. Beware - 00:05:24
10.   II. Beware of fear - 00:05:31
11.   III. Beware of those who preach fear - 00:05:27


Transcendence in the Age of War (more info)
Composed by: John A. Carollo


12.   Transcendence in the Age of War - 00:05:39


Let Thy Mind Be Still (more info)
Performed by: Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra
Composed by: John A. Carollo
Conducted by: Vit Micka


13.   Let Thy Mind Be Still - 00:05:07

Reviews

Sonic Journey (Oct 7, 2009)
Reviewer:Marc Yeats
What a journey this new CD by John Carollo offers. Topped and tailed by two superb string pieces, works for guitar, string quartet and guitar, flute, cello and piano as well as two pianos nestle between, provide a varied and colourful array of pieces that reflect Carollo's aptitude for clear dialectic, transparent structures and musicality. These are pieces that entice, enthrall and engage the... What a journey this new CD by John Carollo offers. Topped and tailed by two superb string pieces, works for guitar, string quartet and guitar, flute, cello and piano as well as two pianos nestle between, provide a varied and colourful array of pieces that reflect Carollo's aptitude for clear dialectic, transparent structures and musicality. These are pieces that entice, enthrall and engage the listener with the rich, lyrical sound world of this composer.
In the Sagasse Guitar Suite, Carollo's writing for guitar is lucid, clean and beautifully articulated, and in the hands of virtuoso guitarist, Christian Saggese, performed with the skill and attention it deserves. This lucidity of writing is echoed in 'String Quintet No.1' for guitar and string quartet, except here, the added warmth of the string quartet takes the music to another level of expression adding a haunting melancholy to much of the writing. The quintet communicates excellently and Carollo's writing never allows the listener's ear to stray from the subtly and detail of the score. All the recordings have an intimacy about them that enables the music to be experienced up close and personal. 'Fear Of Angst' introduces the timbre of the flute with cello and piano. A work of great beauty and passion, 'Fear Of Angst' maintains an aura of fragility which only serves to heighten its content and message. It seems that Carollo is very concerned with expressing states of the human condition in his work, with all the attendant frailties, fears and joys this state encumbers.
Anxiety is perhaps brought to a head in 'Transcendence In The Age Of War' for two pianos. Here, the swirling configurations whip up a storm with a tightly knit argument between the two instruments. In this work, many of Carollo's inventive and structural ideas can be heard, including his love of diametrically opposed and mirrored note patterns.

Our journey began with 'Desiderio' for string orchestra - warm. calm and glowing, transforming into passionate, articulated writing that cyclically returns to its intimate origins. Our journey ends with 'Let Thy Mind Be Still' again for string orchestra, an expansive, visionary work that, as the title of this CD intimates, offers a beautifully crafted final transcendence. (read more)