11 American Premieres Mimi Stillman flute, Charles Abramovic piano Innova 2-CDs 814 [53+59 mins] A really great discovery from Philadelphia; a flutist whose natural musicality flows through all these commission, mostly from their "valued colleagues and friends"; good composers virtually unknown in UK, a humbling thought. The programme is interesting throughout, well contrasted, not a dud amongst them. I guess the original intention was to make a single CD, but there were some they felt they couldn't leave out... The composing idioms cover a range of today's, with nothing too "far out modernistic". There are solos amongst the duos. Mimi takes advanced techniques in her stride without fuss; flutter tonguing, pitch bends, key clicks, tongueless attacks - and foot stomps. Her pianist makes a good contribution, even though he is somewhat overshadowed by his young partner. The over-riding impression is of a musician at ease with herself, not needing to prove anything. Very special; look it out and enjoy. Unsurprisingly, Mimi Stillman has a substantial presence on YouTube; try a younger Mimi with cello and piano (Charles Abramovic) in the latter's "Beasts"; exhilarating !. Peter Grahame Woolf |