Sean Clarke - A Flower For My Daughter [Navona Records]

Put out on the circuit via the US-based Navona Records label on June 20th, 2k25 is "A Flower For My Daughter", the debut album by Ottawa-based composer Sean Clarke which sees his works, mainly a set of pieces for solo piano, performed by Roger Feria Jr. with the exception of "Ballade" which has Nathan Bredeson stepping in on guitar whilst "Mountain Hymnal For Flute And Resonance" sees Clarke himself on flute duty for the performance. With the title piece "A Flower For My Daughter" setting the pace in a calm, peaceful and rather skeletal manner, with single tones and harmonies carefully arranged, following an intricate dynamic flow which never reaches for a full climax the subsequent trio piece "Franey Trail - A Chamber Opera" indulges in the exceptional vocal performance of soprano singer Talia Fuchs who adds an absolutely enchanted and touching note to the album. Furthermore Clarke's aforementioned flute piece "Mountain Hymnal For Flute And Resonance" weighs in an airy, rather spiritual journey carried by an overall spatial feel and a set of interesting overtones, "Winter Light, Castle Mountain" indulges in deep Contemporary Classical romanticisms for late night listening whereas the alternative bonus version presented under the name of "Winter Light, Castle Mountain (Una Corda)" with its approach of having the una corda pedal and 4th pedal depressed serves an even softer, yet also more dynamic variation for the advanced and classically trained audience just to name a few. Simply beautiful, this.

Album artwork on Instagram!