Shulamit Ran: String Quartet No. 3 - Glitter, Doom, Shards, Memory
Jennifer Higdon: Voices
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Quintet for Alto Saxophone and String Quartet

In these economically precarious times, more and more classical music labels are focusing their efforts on the production of recordings featuring solo vocal, solo instrumental, or chamber ensemble artists. And since composers are aware of this trend, progressively more new music is being written for the chamber idiom. In fact, two of the works offered here were composed within the last thirteen years, and one of these, the String Quartet No. 3 by Shulamit Ran is presented in its world premiere recording.

All three works come at music from highly disparate angles. Shulamit Ran explores the emotive power of music, Jennifer Higdon seems focused more on the technical demands that pinpoint rhythmic accuracy and tonal blend can impose on chamber musicians, and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich captures the sonic aspect of music within the colourful Quintet for Alto Saxophone and String Quartet, which features Otis Murphy on saxophone. The reedy, mellow sound of the saxophone over a bed of strings is quite evocative, and surprisingly captivating.

I know it's all very personally suggestive, but I would have to say that the Zwilich is my favorite here, but what all three works demonstrate very well, is how musically flexible and versatile the members of the Pacifica Quartet can be. From the sorrowful opening page of the Ran to the almost funky ending of the Zwilich, they first and foremost capture and project each individual composer's intent and character, however divergent they may be. But hey, they've already demonstrated their collective musicianship in this recording of these Shostakovich Quartets, as well as this recent release featuring Spanish Music. As the title suggests, if you're searching for new, contemporary chamber music works, this CD should feel right at home on your bookshelf.