This exquisitely produced album embodies the beautiful art whose creation has been enabled by the newly opened cultural exchange between the United States and Cuba. Through a collection of intriguing compositions by American and America-based composers, Intersections showcases the talents of Cuban musicians ina variety of large ensemble and chamber settings. Moreover, the pieces in the album's contents are replete with symbols that touch on the promise of this new beginning in American-Cuban relations, and suggest some of the darkness that preceded it. This imagery begins with Jeffrey Jacob's Awakening, an undulating work for piano and orchestra which is performed by the composer and the Havana National Symphony. Awakening is hopeful and grand, yet ends ambiguously. In this way, Awakening seems to signal the highest aspirations the Cuban and American people may have for their new relationship, while also reminding us that the process of restoring normality remains unfinished.