NEW WORLDS • Eric Jacobsen, cond; Jan Vogler (vc1); The Knights • SONY 88697599782 (58:28)

IVES The Unanswered Question. G.L. FRANK Leyendas—An Andean Walkabout. 1DVO?ÁK Silent Woods. GOLIJOV Last Round. COPLAND Appalachian Spring

"Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972) counts Peruvian among a heritage as mixed as Osvaldo Golijov’s. A student of South American myths and cultures, she incorporates local instruments in a classical chamber orchestra: percussion, panpipes, and a “heavy wooden duct flute” that is blown harshly to produce double-stopping overtones. Leyendas is as captivating as it is unique, its three highly varied movements providing a convincingly more authentic Andes atmosphere than do either Villa-Lobos or Ginastera.

Despite his always recognizable Latino and/or Jewish elements, Golijov never writes less than fascinating music and never repeats himself. Combined with the existence of major masterpieces—Ainadamar remains this century’s defining work, and the 1998 La Pasión según San Marcos just missed the cut—this makes him one of the greats. Last Round opens with typically wild, not quite tamed Golijovian energy. Its two movement titles tell the full story: I Movido, Urgente—Macho, Cool and Dangerous, and II (attacca) Lentissimo—Death of Angels.

This performance of Appalachian Spring is exacting and fine, spirited yet lucid...the disc is a must for both Frank and Golijov."

FANFARE: James H. North