Robert Schumann
's
Kinderszenen, Op. 15
("
Scenes from Childhood
") are indeed the inspiration for these pieces by composer
Pedro Faria Gomes
, whose two children were born during the COVID-19 pandemic, and who worked this project out in close collaboration with pianist
Kenneth Hamilton
. The older child, Joana, is referred to in the title of
Gomes
'
Suite J
, and that set captures something of
Schumann
's nostalgic mood. What makes the work unusual, though, is that it combines that mood with, on one hand, neoclassic procedures -- the
uses recognizable Baroque dances, while the three-movement
Sonatina
uses broad Classical forms -- and, on the other, fairly rigorous motivic construction associated in the composer's mind with his two children. These approach serial technique, although tonality is not abandoned. Taken together, these three aspects of the music weave diverse ideas tightly into small forms in two of the most remarkable compositions to come out of the pandemic.
Hamilton
is a major contributor to the album's success. Just as
told
Clara
to play the
Kinderzenen
straight and not to force them, so
offers restrained yet sensitive readings that let the details in
' music emerge naturally. A wonderful offbeat find from the small
Prima Facie
label that made classical best-seller charts in early 2024. ~ James Manheim