Willow Song. Elizabeth Holowell (violin), Dean Sky-Lucas (piano). Auckland University, CD
It contains sonatas for violin and piano by each of the composers and also Four Canzonas for String Orchestra by Lilburn, arranged for duet by Kenneth Young.
Sky-Lucas observes in the booklet that the sonatas are epic in scale, departing from classical tradition as two instruments engage in "terse and uncompromising musical debate'' and ending with an ambiguous sense of harmonic finality.
The piano argues for stability while the violin lifts its voice in musical questioning.
They are also very like sonic sculptures, reminiscent of the different landscapes: Britain, the United States and New Zealand.
Verdict: Enjoyable modern romanticism.
Requiem. Donald Maurice (viola), Vector Wellington Orchestra. Atoll CD.
His four-movement Requiem "The Holocaust'' premiered in Kiev in 2001.
This recording comes from the 2008 performance in Wellington at a concert remembering the 70th anniversary of the "Kristallnacht'' atrocity in Nazi Germany and Austria when 91 Jews were murdered.
Although this is an impressive showpiece for the viola, conductor Marc Taddei secured a fine performance from the orchestra in its role for this 50-minute work.
Also featured are Pigovat's Prayer for viola and piano (Richard Mapp), Silent Music for viola and harp (Caroline Mills), and Nigun for string quartet (Dominion String Quartet), all attesting to his talents as a composer.
Verdict: Eloquent, entrancing "human voice'' of viola.
- Geoff Adams
