CD REVIEW -
RIVER OF MUSIC
THE KANNEH-MASONS
DECCA 4871265
[73:05]
This is an
attractive album with all seven
siblings from the tremendously
talented musical Kanneh-Mason
family, three of whom have been
signed-up by major record
companies and had CDs reviewed
here. Their only other release,
the very successful 'Carnival of
the Animals', was also
reviewed here five years ago.
Konya Kanneh-Mason
(violin) in her booklet notes
– written in the form of a
story, Grandad's Dream: A River
of Music – explains that
"This is a story about our
family and the sources of our
music. Music runs like a river
through the generations, and our
passion for listening and playing
music comes from our
grandparents, and from their
stories, flowing from the places
and dreams they passed
on…" (A shame her words
are printed so small and in white
on a yellow background).
Recorded at Abbey
Road's Studio 2, the album opens
with Coleridge-Taylor's
powerfully moving African
American spiritual "Deep
River" played by the
full ensemble, as are the
beautiful traditional Welsh love
song "Ar Lan y Môr"
(Beauty of the Sea) and "Hiraeth",
composed by the first-born Isata
(piano). These are followed by
the two violinists, Aminata and
eldest brother Braimah, playing
the popular hymn tune "Calon
Lân" (A Pure Heart),
adopted as the unofficial Welsh
national anthem beloved by rugby
fans.
Next is a
selection of the family's
favourite short listenable
pieces: "Largo"
from Handel's Trio Sonata
with Sheku (cello), Mariatu
(cello) and Isata; Elgar's sad
and emotive "Sospiri",
written just before the outbreak
of World War One, with Braimah
and Konya; and then two solo
piano pieces: Chopin's sparkling
"Fantasie-impromptu"
from Janeba and Liszt's "Consolation
No.3" from Isata. The
last-named joins Sheku for
Dvorák's "Song to the
Moon" (from Rusalka),
recorded at Snape Maltings
Concert Hall, Suffolk.
The final track is
the longest at 36'59" with
Braimah, Sheku and Isata being
joined by Edgar Francis (viola)
and Toby Hughes (double bass) for
a delightful version of one of
Schubert's most well-known works,
the 'Trout' Quintet.
Grandad would have
been very pleased … and
proud.
©
Peter Burt, September
2025
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