A title should cover the load in a clear way, you would think. Here, however, it is not immediately clear why British Brighton and New York's Brooklyn are linked, other than for the sake of alliteration. Yet apparently most of the composers in this recital were linked to one or both places left to right. It's easier to say that the cross-pollination comes from the preferences and backgrounds of the
… two musicians. Indeed, American violinist Elena Urioste is interested in British music, while British pianist Tom Poster is idolized by popular American styles. Otherwise, the program is a fine anthology of miniatures. The most ambitious is the Ballade by Coleridge-Taylor, a then esteemed British composer nicknamed "Black Mahler" in the US. Also remember the name of Florence Beatrice Price, rediscovered in 2009. She mixed classical music with elements of African-American music, as in her Elfentanz. The motley collection will also have to do with the pandemic. In fact, for this duo, it is already the second "pandemic album" for Chandos. (HJ)more
