Given the title of this CD and the idyllic image on the cover, anyone not familiar with
Gary Schocker might reasonably assume that it belongs in the new age bin.
Schocker is, in fact, a flutist with impeccable credentials as an orchestral player, soloist (he was once called on short notice to substitute for
Rampal), and teacher. His discography ranges from Bach and Mozart through
Piazzolla, but the majority of his recordings feature his own compositions. Although his formal training was in flute and piano, he began composing at 5 or 6, and has published hundreds of compositions, many of them featuring flute.
Schocker has said that his music is most often likened to that of
Poulenc,
Bernstein, and
Bolling, and that he prefers not to be pigeonholed with those descriptions, but the influence of those composers is audible in much of his work.
Schocker is fluent in his handling of traditional tonality, and the pieces on this CD are ideal showpieces for his virtuosity and interpretive sensitivity.
The most substantial and satisfying pieces on the CD are the opening set, which includes Hannah's Glade, Xynóglyko, and Healing Music, as well as Erev Shalom, all for flute and piano, and Peregrinations, for two flutes. While highlighting
Schocker's virtuosity, the technical fireworks never overwhelm the musical integrity of the pieces, which are essentially lyrical, and often pastoral, in keeping with the title of the CD. Of the remaining works, The Further Adventures of Two Flutes and Once Upon A... are unfailingly pleasant, but musically lightweight, and would probably be of more interest to flutists on the lookout for new repertoire than to general audiences.
Schocker is joined by pianist Cliff Jackson, flutist
Mathieu Dufour, and guitarist
Jason Vieaux, each of whom offers expert support.
Schocker's masterful performance is world class; his tone ranges from meltingly limpid to brilliantly florid, and his interpretations are always undergirded by sensitive and intelligent musicianship.