The Blonde in Pinsk and Blue
by Leonard Lehrman ©2008
Pinsk & Blue: The Chamber Music of Alla BORZOVA. James Rio & Paul Sperry, tenors; William Schimmel, accordion; Meighan Stoops, clarinet; Yevgenia Strenger, violin; Da Capo Chamber Players, conducted by composer at piano. Majnun Songs (1996); Scherzo (1980); Images Françaises (2002), Pinsk & Blue (1998); Mother Said (1997). Albany/Troy 923. Time: 70:42
Belarussian-born, Russian-trained Alla Borzova, a protégée of John Corigliano and David Del Tredici, has assembled some of the most attractive talent available in her adopted city of New York and put out an album that can only be described as a hoot. Now in her 40s, though she comes across as at least 20 years younger, the blonde bombshell has the good taste to quote an NMC review by BLC in the notes to this first CD devoted entirely to her own music. Many of the works are no doubt even livelier in performance, though the photos of the costumed tenor and Arabic dancer in the first work and the folklorically capped accordionist in the penultimate piece give one an idea. The diversity and high level of inspiration on the album ranges from lovesick 7th-century Arabic poetry (ably translated into English by Ann Michael) to the hysterical cycle on poems by Hal Sirowitz, commissioned and zestfully sung by the delightful Paul Sperry. A must-have.
