Steel Chords/I-5

Steel Chords/I-5

On this CD: 1. Steel Chords, Triple Concerto for pedal steel guitar, violins & strings
Composed by Sasha Matson
with Maria Newman , Cynthia Moussas , Bruce Morgenthaler , Erika Duke Kirkpatrick , Doug Livingston , Peter Kent
Conducted by Sasha Matson

2. I-5, for string quintet & harp
Composed by Sasha Matson
with Maria Newman , Amy Shulman , Bruce Morgenthaler , Erika Duke Kirkpatrick , Peter Kent
Conducted by Sasha Matson

Tracks:

Steel Chords, Triple Con: Mvt.I. Steel Chords
Steel Chords, Triple Con: Mvt.II. Steel Songs
Steel Chords, Triple Con: Mvt.III. Steel Dances
i-5,Str Qnt and Hp: Mvt I. Windmills
i-5,Str Qnt and Hp: Mvt II. Slaughterhouse
i-5,Str Qnt and Hp: Mvt III. Lost Near Bakersfield
i-5,Str Qnt and Hp: Mvt IV. Grapevine
i-5,Str Qnt and Hp: Mvt V. City Limits

Customer Reviews:

Adventurous ground for the pedal steel guitar.......1998-09-11

California composer Sasha Matson is a modernist with a sweet spot for harmonious timbres. As a steel guitarist, I was most interested in "Steel Chords". Incorporating a pedal steel into a small chamber orchestra playing modern music is an interesting premise, and Matson proceeds cautiously. The pedal steel part is rather tame, suggesting that Matson doesn't fully understand the potential of the instrument.

Steel guitarist Doug Livingston performs the part flawlessly, and the entire ensemble embraces Matson's score lovingly, though. This is fine listening for a late afternoon, and it relaxes the senses in spite of the dissonance we have come to expect from modern music.

My only complaint is that the steel guitar could have been louder in the mix. "Steel Chords" is the only modern classical piece I know of that features the pedal steel. It's a pity that we can't always tell what the instrument is doing.

-Bob Lee

Steel Chords/I-5: Matson
Average customer rating:
Steel Chords/I-5: Matson
Various
Manufacturer: Valley Ent.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000N0LITE
Release Date: 2006-09-12