Abel. 4.4.2

I mostly favor poetic or abstract titles for albums, but 4.4.2 instead echoes a hallowed American cop-show catchphrase: “Just the facts, ma’am.” And rightly so. We have four pieces for two musicians here, each occupying a distinct sonic and timbral space. Vive le duo!

The song cycle As the World Turns progresses from heady romantic fulfillment to growing dissatisfaction, then to joy at separation’s freedoms, concluding with an acknowledgement that, in the end, things haven’t quite worked out as planned. The expressive content is brought to life compellingly by Swiss-Canadian mezzo-soprano Simone McIntosh and pianist Michael McMahon. Though the songs can be read as episodes in one person’s continuous story, I consider the work a gallery of views into the psyches of different people at various stages of their relationships.

Samantha Sketches was written with flutist Alice K. Dade in mind, with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute providing vivid tonal coloration. Symbiotica pairs solo violin and organ, inspired by Frank Martin’s Sonata da Chiesa. A Door Opens, for cello and piano, is an extroverted voyage of discovery, closing with a question mark.

Mark Abel – composer, organ
Simone McIntosh – mezzo-soprano
Michael McMahon – piano
Alice K. Dade – flute, piccolo
Ieva Jokubaviciute – piano
Jennifer Choi – violin
Jonah Kim – cello
Keisuke Nakagoshi – piano