Timeless
performed by Kate Prestia-Schaub, piccolo and Martin Kennedy, piano
Barry McKimm – “Air”
Daniel Dorff – “Flash!”
Frederick Lesemann – “Slow Music for Piccolo Alone“
Michael Daugherty – “The High and the Mighty”
Daniel Kelley – “Passage”
Martin Kennedy – “Desplazamiento”
Kenneth Benshoof – “Timeless”
Steve Kujala – “Eurythmionics”
Timeless is Kate Prestia-Schaub’s debut album for piccolo and piano. Overall, she exhibits masterful control, lyricism, and virtuosity. The piccolo, which is often seen as the flashy member of the band or orchestra, is seen here as a solo instrument that delivers flash but is also sensitive. Of particular interest is Prestia-Schaub’s low register, which is quite lush. In addition to her impressive playing, she is helping to add substantial new works to the piccolo repertoire; three of the works on this album (Dorff, Lesemann, and Kennedy) were written specifically for her.
The first work on this album is “Air” for piccolo and piano by Barry McKimm. “Air” is actually the second movement of McKimm’s Piccolo Concerto, written for Frederick Shade, principal piccolo with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. This is a lyrical, melodic work that serves as a solid opener to this album.
“Flash!” for piccolo and piano by Daniel Dorff lives up to its title, featuring lots of fast scales, a catchy melody, and frequent forays into the high register. Prestia-Schaub’s performance is convincing and makes the work sound easy.
The next work, “Slow Music for Piccolo Alone,” is indeed slow but intense.
“The High and Mighty” in two movements was inspired by air travel in the years after World War II. The first movement features a beautiful lyrical melody, which includes pitch bends and flutter tonguing. The second movement begins with a piccolo cadenza, which then turns into a bossa nova.
“Passage” begins with a lyrical section, which is followed by a more active section. It’s an inviting work that draws in the listener.
Kennedy’s “Desplazamiento” features tango rhythms and motives. It is rhythmically complex and well-executed.
The title track of this album is introspective and lyrical. Quotes from the jazz standard “Embraceable You” give “Timeless” a jazzy feel.
“Eurythmionics,” the last track on this album, is a technically challenging work that Prestia-Schaub manages to make sound easy. It ends the album with a positive flourish.
For more information and to buy the album, visit Kate Prestia-Schaub’s website at http://www.k8trills.com/.
