The COVID epidemic imposed unforeseen stresses on almost everyone. These tensions caused much pain and suffering, but also provoked a variety of creative responses. This one, from the composer/producer/speaker Howard Hersh, consists of four pieces for solo instruments (flute, marimba, piccolo and violin). The first piece, “Solo” (2006) for flute and the second, “Jitterbug” (2016) for marimba, are fairly simple soliloquies for their respective instruments.
The third, “I had to go down to the mines to go up to heaven” (2013) is for piccolo alone but with 16 pre-recorded songs. It is a fairly large and substantive work comparable to the multitrack works of Steve Reich (although here not in minimalist language). The 16 prerecorded tracks create the sound of a chamber orchestra very similar to Henry Brant's compositions for flute choirs that launched the genre with “Angels and Devils” (1931, rev 1947), a concerto for flute and flute orchestra. This piece successfully exploits the limitations and advantages with intelligent choices that create a new sonic world. Really nice piece and an excellent contribution to this unusual genre.
Last but not least is “Crown of Feathers” (1992) for solo violin, the title of which is taken from a short story by Isaac Bashevis Singer. This work is a composer's personal adaptation to the Nazi Holocaust from the perspective of lost Jewish communities. Written and performed by Liana Berubé, is a deeply felt work that incorporates Yiddish melodies. He reminds the listener of some of Ernest Bloch's works that celebrate Judaism and Jewish life.
