Aralee Dorough CD Review
Aralee Dorough, Principal of the Houston Symphony, released her first CD entitled “Colours”. This exquisite CD explores the various hues of the flute, featuring works from Debussy, Bartok, Barber, Martin, Griffes, and Stravinsky. The CD is not only sonically bewitching but also the elegant CD artwork and photos present a beguiling frame for the enchanting music.
The album commences with Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun arranged for flute and piano where Dorough produces the most exquisite sonorities with utmost sensitivities. She concocts a full spectrum of colors in this piece alone. Pianist Scott Holshouser plays the piano reduction equally impressively. The Dorough/Holshouser Duo weave an expressively ravishing introduction to this magnificent CD.
The playful and resplendent Romanian Folk Dances are performed with impressive humor, and jubilation featuring Dorough’s lavish technique and breathtaking musicality. Dorough and Holshouse play Barber’s Canzone with rich and resounding alluring charm. And the Martin Ballade, showcases Dorough’s outstanding artistry, her svelte dexterity as well as her outstanding intonation. Dorough’s performance of the classic Griffes’ Poem is refreshingly invigorating. She commands her instrument with stimulating grace.
To finish the CD, fellow Houston Symphony Flutist Judy Dines is introduced to perform a delightful arrangement of the Pulcinella Suite for two flutes and piano. The versatile trio present an innovative rendition of this imaginative Suite finishing the album with an energizing and animated performance.
Aralee Dorough’s album “Colours” is surely to become a favorite in musical libraries across the world for it’s impeccable playing, masterful performances and innovative arrangements. Aralee Dorough’s first class playing is both exhilarating and wonderfully elegant; a true virtuoso, her performances in this album are filled with exceptional taste, whimsical artistry and a luxurious palette of superb “Colours”.
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - Claude Debussy
Roumanian Folk Dances - Bela Bartok
Joc cu bata
Il Bichul
Pe Loca
Buciumeana
Poarga Romanesca
Marunjel
Maruntel
Canzone - Samuel Barber
Ballade - Frank Martin
Poem - Charles Griffes
Pulcinella Suite for 2 flutes and piano - Igor Stravinsky
Introduzione
Serenata
Tarantella
Toccata
Gavotta
Minuetto
Finale
Purchase CD on Aralee Dorough website, CDBaby and iTunes.
--Viviana Guzman, The Flute View Magazine
