If Jeremy Beck's orchestral works are considered accessible, it is because his continuous melodic lines, mildly dissonant harmonies, competent orchestration, and clear forms give the audience something familiar to grasp. Yet for all these aids to appreciation, Beck's music may still perplex. Wave presents three polished, modestly inventive works that nonetheless fail to enthrall or enlighten, because the music lacks urgency and vitality, and Beck's expression is fairly opaque. State of the Union (1992) critiques political ...
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If Jeremy Beck's orchestral works are considered accessible, it is because his continuous melodic lines, mildly dissonant harmonies, competent orchestration, and clear forms give the audience something familiar to grasp. Yet for all these aids to appreciation, Beck's music may still perplex. Wave presents three polished, modestly inventive works that nonetheless fail to enthrall or enlighten, because the music lacks urgency and vitality, and Beck's expression is fairly opaque. State of the Union (1992) critiques political obfuscation and inaction in a time of crisis, yet its earnest polemic is weakly communicated in the vaguely dyspeptic music. Death of a Little Girl with Doves (1998) is a monodrama for soprano and orchestra, ably sung and spoken by Rayanne Dupuis. This depiction of sculptor Camille Claudel's tragic life is perhaps touching as a tribute, but tame in its imitative music, which strongly suggests the influence of musical theater. Perhaps most effective is the Sinfonietta for string...
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