SMALL STORMS

Bohuslav Martinů

 

Meredith Blecha-Wells cello

Sun Min Kim piano

 

OVERVIEW

 

Like many European composers alive during the World Wars, Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959) was nomadic. But while most of these artists’ music changed drastically based on their location, Martinů’s compositional style consistently referenced the culture of his Czech heritage. SMALL STORMS – cellist Meredith Blecha-Wells’ debut record – contains Martinů’s duos for cello and piano from the latter half of his life, with the performances of Blecha-Wells and pianist Sun Min Kim fully embodying the folkloric sensibility and conservative style that typify the composer’s oeuvre.

 

Blecha-Wells’ beautiful playing is especially apt at capturing Martinů’s oft-celebrated gift for melody and lyricism. Consistent with his Romantic and Neoclassicist predilections, the works featured on SMALL STORMS come from genres originating in the nineteenth century, and, in some cases, even earlier. In her variations, nocturnes, and arabesques, the cellist looks not to redefine these time-tested genres, but instead personalizes their forms within the composer’s characteristic musical language.

 

Blecha-Wells’ rendition of Martinů’s Seven Arabesques for Cello and Piano and Nocturnes for Cello and Piano are emblematic examples of the composer’s mixture of the European Classical tradition, elements of his native Czech culture, and the influence of his contemporaries. “Adante,” the fourth movement of the Suite Miniature, works along these lines and sounds most heavily inspired by folk music. Conversely, “Adante Moderato” from Arabesque might be the most modernist, namely in its dissonance and use of irregular time signatures.

 

Throughout SMALL STORMS, the duo’s playing blends wonderfully, no matter a passage’s virtuosity or simplicity. It should come as no surprise that Martinů’s cello writing is highlighted in this recording – Blecha-Wells’ lyrical warmth and powerful athleticism triumphantly illustrate why the composer welcomed her instrument’s entire expressive continuum in his music.

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

 

Meredith Blecha-Wells’ work as an educator and cellist has brought her to colleges and concert halls across the globe, including performances as a soloist and chamber musician

 

Blecha-Wells is currently an Associate Professor of Cello at Oklahoma State University, where she recently received the College of Arts and Sciences Junior Faculty Award for Scholarly Excellence

 

Pianist Sun Min Kim is an acclaimed performer in his own right, having made his debut with Ulsan Symphony Orchestra in South Korea when he was only 13-years-old

 

The works selected for SMALL STORMS all employ long-standing Classical genres and form, highlighting Martinů’s participation in the traditions of Romanticism, Twelve-Tonality, Historicism, and Primitivism. Blecha-Wells and Kim’s performances personalize these works while capturing the composer’s penchant for melody and lyricism

 

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CREDITS

 

All Tracks recorded August of 2016 at the

Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond OK

 

Recording Engineer Ken Sarkey (Cornerstone Recording)

 

Cover art by Michael Labrie

 

Executive Producer Bob Lord

Executive A&R Sam Renshaw

A&R Chris Robinson

Audio Director Jeff LeRoy

Engineering Manager Lucas Paquette

Art & Production Director Brett Picknell

Graphic Design Ryan Harrison

Marketing Scott Murphy

 

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www.navonarecords.com

223 Lafayette Road

North Hampton NH 03862

 

Navona Records is a

PARMA Recordings company

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ALSO ON NAVONA RECORDS

 

(NV6007) KOSTOV-VALKOV DUO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Release Date: April 14, 2017

Catalog #: NV6092

 

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TRACK INFO

 

All works by Bohuslav Martinů

Meredith Blecha-Wells cello

Sun Min Kim piano

 

Variations on a Theme of Rossini, H. 290

 

01 Theme: Poco Allegro - Allegro Moderato

02 Variation I: Poco Allegro

03 Variation II: Poco Piu Allegro

04 Variation III: Andante

05 Variation IV: Allegro

06 Theme: Vivo Moderato Maestoso

 

07 Ariette for Cello and Piano, H. 188b

 

Seven Arabesques for Cello and Piano, H. 201

 

08 Poco allegro

09 Moderato

10 Andante moderato

11 Allegro

12 Adagio

13 Allegretto

14 Allegretto moderato

 

Suite Miniature for Cello and Piano, H. 192

 

15 Moderato

16 Poco Andante

17 Poco Moderato

18 Andante

19 Poco Allegro

20 Allegretto

21 Moderato

 

Nocturnes for Cello and Piano, H. 189

 

22 Andantino Moderato

23 Lento

24 Moderato

25 Allegretto Moderato

 

Variations on a Slovakian Theme, H. 378

 

26 Theme: Poco Andante, Rubato

27 Variation I: Moderato

28 Variation II: Poco Allegro

29 Variation III: Moderato

30 Variation IV: Scherzo, Allegretto

31 Variation V: Allegro