Andrew Flory

The transcendent glory of Handel's beloved classic Messiah is taken to new heights on Sir Andrew Davis’s majestic, must-hear rendition, recorded live in December 2015. Davis and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra make use of all the colours available from the modern orchestra to underline the mood and meaning of the individual movements, sung here by an acclaimed cast of soloists. Without detracting from the innate power of the original, the conductor’s score calls for moments of drama, pathos and even, sometimes, whimsy.

Down features seven tracks from Pellegrin's pen, starting with "Trial," an adeptly arranged quintet piece featuring two stellar solos—one from the leader on piano and one from saxophonist Neil Welch. Pellegrin's piano style—and the composition itself—feel like something the late pianist Andrew Hill (1931-2007) might have done, not particularly in technique, but in the off-center originality and energy on its long and winding percussive road that leads to the the tenor sax turn. Saxophonist Welch cranks up the "ominous" with a low-in-the-throat growl inside the tumult of Evan Flory-Barnes' bass and Christopher Icasiano's drum backdrop. A marvelous opener.