Sean Hickey, a Detroit-born composer on the New York scene, is featured here in a program comprised primarily of solo and chamber music. The basic style tends to lie in the realm of extended tonality–not quite atonal–and the textures are contrapuntal. Overall, Hickey’s music gives the impression that its main interest is not content, but compositional technique. Before you listen you should be warned that, although there is something of interest in each of the nine works, there’s a dearth of prominent distinguishing features, so it’s best to listen only to one or two pieces at a time to avoid a sense of tedium. The most communicative compositions are Sagesse, a setting of Verlaine verses in English translation for two voices and chamber orchestra, the title piece Left at the Fork in the Road, and a charming Flute Sonata.
The instrumental performances are all fine, but the vocal performances are lacking. Soprano Jennifer Greene’s voice becomes thready and takes on excessive vibrato in the upper register; tenor Doug McCormick is more controlled, but his voice is thin and has an immature quality. The six-minute Granfaloon bids fair to become popular with bassoon recitalists, as might the solo flute piece Fluff (a name that describes its substance) and the little clarinet/piano piece Fool’s Errand. The sound is complementary to all concerned. Despite my lukewarm reaction to the package as a whole, flutists, clarinetists, bassoonists, and even guitarists seeking new material ought to have a listen.
