Wilhelmina Smith – Salonen & Saariaho: Works for Solo Cello (2019) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

This solo album by cellist Wilhelmina Smith features works for solo cello by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Kaija Saariaho. Both composers belong to a generation of modernist Finnish composers whose work has gained broad acceptance in musical culture throughout the world. While each composer has a clear individual artistic persona, as a group they are known for pushing sonic boundaries. In writing for strings and, in particular on this recording, the cello, Salonen and Saariaho exploit the outer reaches of the technical possibilities for both the instrument and the performer. Wilhelmina Smith is an artist of intense commitment, poetic insight and dazzling versatility. As a soloist and recitalist as well as a collaborative musician and festival director, Smith has consistently advocated for composers with whom she has developed vital relationships, to have their music creatively positioned within an intellectually engaging context and performed with the utmost passion and technical assurance.

Tracklist:
1. Yta III 07:46
2. Knock, Breathe, Shine: I. Knock 02:58
3. Knock, Breathe, Shine: II. Breathe 05:38
4. Knock, Breathe, Shine: III. Shine 06:24
5. Sarabande per un coyote (After G. Colombi’s Chiacona) 03:04
6. Chiacona 02:46
7. Dreaming Chaconne (After G. Colombi’s Chiacona) 03:22
8. Petals 08:46
9. 7 Papillons: No. 1, Dolce, leggiero, libero 01:51
10 7 Papillons: No. 2, Leggiero, molto espressivo 01:28
11. 7 Papillons: No. 3, Calmo, con tristeza 01:44
12. 7 Papillons: No. 4, Dolce, tranquillo 02:48
13. 7 Papillons: No. 5, Lento, misterioso 01:33
14. 7 Papillons: No. 6, Sempre poco nervoso, senza tempo 01:45
15. 7 Papillons: No. 7, Molto espressivo, energico 01:05
16. Spins and Spells 06:03