Ever since I read a review of the concert where George Crumb's Star Child was premiered I've been hoping that a recording would be forthcoming. In a sense, this is your typical Crumb work, with it's wild vocalise, it's unusual instrumental effects, it's mixture of tonal and atonal elements, and, most of all, it's aura of ritual and mystery. It also breaks new ground in it's scope (a large orchestra used sparingly) and layering of different musics. I particularly love the duet between the soprano and trombone ("Voices Crying in the Wilderness" indeed!) and the quietly estatic closing, with the strings soaring into their highest range. The guitar work shows a lighter and humorous side of Crumb's art and are a delight, as are the early songs (although there is only a hint of the composer's later style buried in them). Anyone interested in comtemporary music that is both innovative and deeply expressive should check into this disk.
