Roots —Randall Goosby, violin; Zhu Wang, piano (Decca 4851664)
In a feature at NPR Music, Lara Downes—pianist, arts activist and good friend of WCLV—talks with young Randall Goosby, whose debut album this is. “It's been the talk of the classical music world,” she writes. “But long before this recording, Randall enjoyed a constant stream of early successes: a concerto debut at age 9, major competition wins, performances with the New York Philharmonic and Cleveland Orchestra, and glowing attention from the press, not to mention the mentorship of violin deity Itzhak Perlman. There are dangers to this kind of early start. It's easy to get stuck on a career treadmill — a child-prodigy jog that accelerates to a star-soloist sprint. To stay on solid ground, you have to be connected to your true foundation, even to your roots. 'Roots’ is an exploration of the music written by Black composers and inspired by Black culture. A homage to the pioneering musicians who paved the way for Randall and his generation. Looking to the future with a specially commissioned piece by young Black composer Xavier Dubois Foley. World premiere recordings of music by Florence Price that was rescued from an abandoned house over half a century after her death. The Perlman protégé celebrates his own journey and shows young people that music can inspire regardless of background.”