American Record Guide

Serious and complex works by Boston University composer Rodney Lister (b 1951). His 9-minute Faith-Based Initiative (based on `Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing’) is given a somber reading by the Chiara Quartet.

Jonah Sirota is solo violist in the 3-movement, 24-minute Complicated Grief, a title that refers to the composer’s state of mind after his father died. The melancholy work is based on hymn tunes like `How Great Thou Art’.

The album ends with the big piece, the 10-movement, 39-minute Friendly Fire. With texts by Allen Tate, Richard Eberhart, Robert Lowell, Randall Jarrell, Herman Melville, and others, the work deals with American wars from the Civil through the World Wars, Vietnam, and Iraq. Tenor Charles Blandy is the earnest soloist who sings the long, involved texts and their long, involved melodies. Kudos to director David Hoose for holding the challenging instrumental parts, played by Collage New Music, in balance. Texts included.

—Barry Kilpatrick