CCMusic.com

David Conte's Intimate Voices presents a deeply personal journey through a decade of his chamber music, with works recorded between 2014 and 2024. Celebrating the composer's 70th birthday, this album reflects his belief in the continuity of musical culture, shaped by his studies with the legendary pedagogue Nadia Boulanger. As one of her last students, Conte embraces her wisdom that "true personality in music is only revealed through the deep knowledge of the personalities of others." His compositions resonate with this philosophy, drawing inspiration from past masters while forging his own expressive voice.

Highlights include the quietly intense Elegy for Violin and Piano and the dynamic Piano Trio No. 2, whose four movements pay tribute to Erich Korngold, Stephen Sondheim, Frank Martin, and Beethoven. Also featured are the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, Sonata for French Horn and Piano, and Aria and Fugue for Cello and Piano, each showcasing Conte's mastery of instrumental color and structural clarity. His works seek to engage listeners beyond chronological time, instead creating musical narratives that feel eternal in their emotional depth and artistic intent.

Marking his debut on PENTATONE, Intimate Voices is a testament to Conte's evolution as a composer and his deep reverence for the past. Performed by an ensemble of distinguished musicians including Samuel Vargas, Kevin Korth, Emil Miland, Miles Graber, Kevin Rivard, Jerome Simas, Eric Zivian, and Matthew Linaman, this album offers an essential listening experience for lovers of contemporary chamber music.