Joan Tower: Review: “For Daniel”
1st September 2005
The rhythms of the piece are governed by the efforts of breathing. The music begins with violin and cello alone, together, then parting ways. The anguish is unremitting, but so is the vitality and the rush of raw emotions, often in conflict — there is acceptance as well as anger and grieving, as in a ravishing splash of water music that recalls Liszt or Ravel. The piano trio is an ideal medium for expressing the simultaneous presence of complementary or contradictory feelings.
The performance was as intense, strong, and involving as the piece, and there was a heartfelt ovation for Tower at its close.
—Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe
Joan Tower
For Daniel
Duration: 17'
Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio
18 August 2005; Tanglewood Music Festival, Lenox, MA
