by Anthony Kershaw
Meerenai Shim is a gifted, San Francisco-based flutist who has made a splash on Twitter and other Social Media outlets promoting new music and the arts in general.
Sometimes the City is Silent is the title of her new CD — an eclectic mix that never flags the listener’s interests and beguiles the ear with the most musical phrasing and sparkling tone. Shim’s catholic taste runs from CPE Bach (the great Hamburger Sonata) to French Song (Chaminade) to a classic for the flute, Reinecke’s charming and evergreen Undine Sonata (1882).
Modernists among you will enjoy one of Shim’s commissions, Noah Luna’s Entrometido (2010) for flute and cello (played effectively by Rachel Turner Houk), at times rhythmic then melodious, the CD title track (composed for the National Flute Association) and Ian Clarke’s flute staple, Zoom Tube. Think Blues and multiphonics! Shim certainly has her modern technique chops down. Slap tonguing, finger slapping, harmonics, growling, the lot. Don’t let the techniques dissuade you from these very interesting pieces. All the technical fun is in service to the music, which Shim dashes off with aplomb.
Finishing off the CD is Shim’s own arrangement of Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances, first heard by me 45 years ago and never forgotten for their quirky inventiveness. Shims excellent arrangement for flute/piccolo and cello captures the miniatures superbly.
The recording is quite dry but balances the three musicians very well. Shim’s tone sings beautifully and is always ably supported by the wonderful accompaniment of pianist Lori Lack. Recommended.
Available on iTunes and CD Baby. Also from Shim’s website.
Read about Shim’s Kickstarter project here.
Follow Meerenai Shim on Twitter @meerenai
Audiophilia on 
Audiophilia on 
Audiophilia 
Audiophilia 
{ 0 comments… add one now }