Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2024 41 CHARLES-VALENTIN ALKAN: PIANO MUSIC VOL. 1 | SYMPHONIE POUR PIANO SEUL, OP. 39, NOS. 4-7; LES MOIS, OP. 74 Charles-Valentin Alkan, Composer; Igor Do Amaral, Piano MSR Recordings Released 2024 O ne of the most interesting things about Romantic-era music is the emphasis on expression and emotion. It takes old compositional traditions and tosses them right out the window in favor of authenticity and freedom. One of the prime examples of this idea is in this collection of works from Charles-Valentin Alkan, expertly and passionately performed by Igor Do Amaral. Alkan's work is a fascinating listen, especially when comparing the two pieces featured on this album. "Marcia funebre" — part of the Symphonie Pour PIano Seul — has the atmosphere of a Gothic mansion, but one where the sun peeks through the curtains every once in a while, and you may find a vase of flowers or two (if you know where to look). "Une nuit d'Hiver" is a fitting beginning for Les Mois (translated as The Months), as it really feels like a deer taking its first steps on a snowy January day. Both use staccatos prominently, but while one feels more like walking down a long hallway in a funeral home, the other feels like the beginning of a new path in life. I would say that Igor Do Amaral has an impressive command over the piano (which is true; his talent is incredible). But to say such a thing would imply a lack of understanding of what Romantic music is all about. When listening to the album, there is no indication that he is reading from sheet music; rather, he goes where the piano leads him. He and the instrument are a team; they share a bond that comes from years of experience. His credentials reflect that: a Doctoral Degree of Musical Arts, a Professional Diploma, two Master's degrees, and participation in juries for music competitions as well as faculty placements at universities around the globe. This collection is one that is at once relaxing and musically stimulating. Whether you are a piano aficionado or one who simply enjoys music, you will find something here to your liking. The album is available for purchase on msrcd.com. Rebekah Strain was initiated into the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Morehead State University in 2013. She currently resides in Lexington, KY, where she teaches writing classes. She can be found on TikTok and Instragram as @rebekah_writes94 Reviews YOU WON'T GO BEFORE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO Knocked Loose Pure Noise Records Released May 10th, 2024 H ardcore punk has a rich and vibrant history, but like bourbon, it can be an acquired taste. Listening to Knocked Loose is like sitting in a plush chair as you sip that bourbon… in the middle of the UFC Octagon. You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To, the Kentucky-based quintet's third full- length album, cements their place as mainstays in the genre while proving their ability and drive to blaze trails as musicians and writers. Each track is captivating in its diversity. "Suffocate," featuring the pop/metal crossover sensation Poppy, ends with a breakdown heavily inspired by reggaeton, a genre shaped by Black and Latino artists which deserves its own analysis. Accents create the illusion of changing time signatures in "Thirst." The final track, "Sit and Mourn," shifts between heavy and soft as it encourages the musician and listener to reflect on the album's compositional and lyrical themes. One of the lasting legacies of hardcore punk is its use as a voice for the oppressed. Prepare yourself for a call-out (and call- in) like no other. "Blinding Faith," which features several extreme vocal techniques, is a scathing admonishment of religious hypocrisy, pulling from the band's own life experiences. Chris Motionless of Motionless in White once again joins Bryan Garris on "Slaughterhouse 2," a spiritual sequel of sorts which further critiques those in economic power. See if you can pick up the references to the original song! Lyrically and compositionally complex, You Won't Go Before You're Supposed To is an album which captures the complexity of grief: its causes, symptoms, and impacts, both internally and externally. It is a testament of the power of music, and art as a whole, to encapsulate the human experience. The album is available on CD and vinyl, as well as streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

• Cover