Composer: Edna Michell
Works: John Taverner: Song of the Angel; Shulamit Ran: Yearning; Chen Yi: Romance of Hsiao and Chin; Hans Werner Henze: Adagio adagio; Yinam Leef: TFilah; Poul Ruders: Credo; Somei Satoh: Innocence; Wolfgang Rihm: Cantilena; Iannis Xenakis: Hunem-Iduhey; Lukas Foss: Romance; Karel Husa: Stèle; Betty Olivero: Achòt Ketana; György Kurtág: Ligatura; Philip Glass: Echorus; Steve Reich: Duet
Performers: Edna Michell (violin), Igor Ardaev (violin), Nachum Erlich (violin), Ulf Hoelscher (violin), Bohuslav Matouek (violin), Shlomo Mintz (violin), Allen Ginsburg (narrator), Michal Kanka (cello), Ludmilla Peterková (clarinet), Susan Narucki (soprano), Patricia Rozario (soprano), Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Lukas Foss (conductor), Karlsruhe Ensemble, Andreas Weiss (conductor)
Recording: Recorded at the Rudolfinum, Dvorak Hall, Prague, 29 August/2 September 1999 and 28/30 August 2000; American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, 7 November 2000; Hochschule für Musik, Karlsruhe, Germany, 10 February 2001
Label: EMI
Edna Michell’s compilation, “Compassion,” resonates profoundly within the context of contemporary classical music, particularly as a tribute to Yehudi Menuhin, whose lifelong commitment to music as a vehicle for solace and healing is echoed in this collection. The project, initiated by Michell in the late 20th century, sought to engage composers from diverse backgrounds to respond to the universal theme of compassion, resulting in an ambitious assembly of 15 works that span a wide stylistic spectrum. This collection not only reflects the aesthetic values of its time but also serves as a poignant reminder of music’s potential to foster empathy and understanding amidst global turmoil.
The performances, predominantly led by Michell’s virtuosic violin, are compelling and often transcendent. Each composer contributes a unique voice to the collective narrative of compassion. Henze’s “Adagio adagio” exudes a meditative stillness, with Michell’s interpretation emphasizing long, flowing lines that draw the listener into a contemplative space. In contrast, Chen Yi’s “Romance of Hsiao and Chin” showcases a vibrant dialogue between the violin and the accompanying ensemble, where rhythmic vitality and lyrical expressiveness coalesce beautifully. The technical precision of the ensemble, particularly under the baton of Lukas Foss, ensures that the intricacies of these compositions are rendered with clarity and emotional depth.
Sound quality and engineering are exemplary, with the recording capturing the rich tonal palette of the violin alongside the nuanced contributions of the Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. The reverberant acoustics of the Rudolfinum enhance the resonance of Michell’s playing, allowing the lush textures of works like Shulamit Ran’s “Yearning” to bloom with palpable warmth. However, one notes a slight imbalance in the mix during Allen Ginsburg’s narration in Philip Glass’s “Echorus,” where the poetry’s emotional weight seems somewhat overshadowed by the music rather than seamlessly integrated, a missed opportunity for a more cohesive artistic statement.
Comparatively, while established figures like Glass and Henze provide worthy contributions, it is the works of lesser-known composers, particularly those of female voices such as Betty Olivero and Shulamit Ran, that emerge with striking clarity. Olivero’s “Achòt Ketana” delivers an evocative landscape of sound that lingers long after the final notes fade. The overall diversity in styles and approaches ensures that listeners remain engaged throughout the compilation, reinforcing Michell’s vision of a shared human experience conveyed through music.
The interplay of performance and interpretation in “Compassion” stands as a testament to the power of music in addressing the complexities of the human condition. The thoughtful curation of works, coupled with Michell’s outstanding musicianship and the ensemble’s exceptional execution, results in a collection that is not only musically rich but also deeply reflective of its thematic intent. This recording deserves to be heard, not merely as an artistic endeavor but as a reminder of the enduring impact that compassion can have in our lives.
