Cheryl Duvall presents 2nd volume of Linda Catlin Smith's Complete Piano Solos on Redshift

Last October, the Toronto-based pianist Cheryl Duvall announced she would be releasing the complete solo piano works of cherished Toronto composer Linda Catlin Smith on Redshift Records. She initiated this considerable undertaking with a recording of The Plains, an hour-long, single-movement work she commissioned from Smith.

August 7th, 2026 marks the launch of the follow up, The Complete Piano Solos (1989-2023), Volume II: The Underfolding & Early Works, a varied programme of works that came about from collaborations with the likes of John Tilbury, Anthony De Mare, Stephen Clarke, Barbara Pritchard, among others. Listeners are treated to a glimpse—a highly compelling one—of Smith's development as a composer through works that pay homage to her forebears (namely Satie, Feldman, Cage, Bach, and fellow Canadian Udo Kasemets), endeavour to reconcile movement and stasis, embrace visual art principles metaphorically, and even employ more systematic approaches. For those that only know her more recent catalogue, there are also surprising approaches to dynamics and articulation that contrast her later output. And yet these pieces also exhibit the roundabout hypnotic character that has become her hallmark amidst her rise to international prominence through her BBC Proms commission, high-profile performances at festivals such as Tectonics (Scotland), Other Minds (USA), Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (UK), and Ireland's Louth Contemporary Music Festival, and recent releases on Another Timbre and Redshift alike.

Throughout this assortment of pieces, Smith's quietly powerful musical personality remains undeniable, and this can partially be attributed to Duvall's interpretive commitment and profound musicality. It's a compelling set that will no doubt stoke excitement about the pair of volumes slated for future release.

Below you will find a link to listen to or download this album in MP3 or WAV formats as well as a press release, artwork, liner notes, and artist photos. Physical promo copies will be distributed soon, so please let me know if you would like one (please note that copies are limited and review copies are given priority over radio). I would also welcome the opportunity to put you in conversation with either/ both Cheryl Duvall and Linda Catlin Smith.

Linda Catlin Smith Cheryl Duvall, piano

The Complete Piano Solos (1989-2023), Volume II: The Underfolding & Early Works