CD Review
Rachel Elliott’s Polka the Elk

By Mike Telin

Every now and then a CD arrives in the mail with a title and cover art that cries out “Please Open Me”, and bassoonist Rachael Elliot’s debut solo CD Polka the Elk does exactly that. Even better, Polka the Elk does not disappoint musically. The CD contains eleven tracks of diverse contemporary solo and chamber music for the bassoon by composers Tawnie Olson, Padma Newsome and David Lang. 

À mon seul désir, (2005) a hypnotic work by Canadian composer Tawnie Olson, explores the lyric and rhythmic capabilities of the instrument as well as a utilizing interesting color textures in the piano through the use of extended techniques.

In Padma Newsome’s Polka the Elk, (2001), Ms Elliott is joined by bassoonist Janet Polk and vibraphonist and percussionist, Bill Solomon. Although the liner notes don’t tell us the significance of the title, if you have ever found yourself looking at a herd of Elk — and I have — this piece certainly captures the animals’ majestic side. And if you did ask an elk to dance a polka, this just might be the piece of music it would choose. Throughout, the two bassoons playfully exchange syncopated conversational lines over supportive chords and tonal embellishments in the percussion.

The centerpiece of the CD, With Eyes Cast Down (2004), also composed by Padma Newsome, is a dramatic and engaging work in seven brief movements. Here Ms. Elliott seems to be in her musical element, producing a beautiful focused tone in all ranges of the bassoon.  Pianist John Orfe and harpsichordist, violist, pianist and vocalist Padma Newsome are excellent collaborators. Hopefully this piece will find its way onto many chamber music programs in the future.

This recording of David Lang’s Press Release (1992) is the world premiere of the solo bassoon version (the piece was originally written for bass clarinet). During the nine minutes and 36 six seconds of the track, Ms. Elliott makes easy work of the Lang’s acrobatic writing, leaping effortlessly from one end of the instrument’s range to the other. There are also some great multi-phonics as well as the astonishing physical feat required during the perpetual motion section.

In the final track, Ms. Elliott is joined by her Clogs Ensemble colleagues, guitarist Bryce Dessner, marimbist and percussionist Thomas Kozumplik, and pianist Padma Newsome, in Newsome’s Bed and Rest (2006).  This work is the perfect melodic ending to a recording of an engaging, eclectic mix of contemporary music.

The sound quality and balances are excellent throughout. The only distraction is the sound of the bassoon’s keys; however, that is a minor flaw in an otherwise beautiful and musically interesting recording.

If the section in your CD rack dedicated to bassoon recordings has any available space, or if you are looking to expand your chamber music section, consider giving Polka the Elk a listen. You’ll be happy you did.

Polka the Elk is due to be released on the Music Starts from Silence Label on September 15, 2011. The album was produced by Rachel Elliott and Padma Newsome, with cover art and design by Sophie Hannibal.
 

Published on clevelandclassical.com September 13, 2011
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