The viola is not the most popular instrument, but Matthew Lipman is doing his part to bring it front and center. The young and emerging artist recently released his solo debut album “Ascent.” The recording blends a variety of repertoire, all imaginative, improvisational works for viola and piano.
Matthew collaborates on the album with pianist Henry Kramer, who just received a 2019 Avery Fisher Career Grant (Lipman received one in 2015). Of special note is the inclusion of a previously unknown impromptu by Dmitri Shostakovich. The other composers represented are York Bowen, Clarice Assad, Robert Schumann, Garth Knox and Franz Waxman.
Take a listen to my recent chat with Matthew and check out some sound clips here.
Yours in good music,
Mike Goldberg Classical Music Host, 93.1 and 107.3 WCVE Music
