Violist Charlotte Goode (née Van Houten) debuts the viola/piano duet "The Raven" from the gothic suite written for her, "Nevermore". Stream or buy the professional recording of her playing the entire suite: https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6549 Get the sheet music: https://sjwallin.gumroad.com/l/nevermore

"A 'Gothic Suite' based on poems by Edgar Allen Poe, Nevermore was composed for violist Charlotte Goode between 2019 and 2021. The first movement is 'Raven': A man pines for his lost lover, Lenore; a raven arrives and says the one word, 'Nevermore,' mocking the narrator’s sorrow. The viola line is both long-breathed and longing; some gestures from Liszt’s dark side permeate the piano. The dedicatee is also the performer here, and Goode and Hagino work perfectly together." (Colin Clarke, Fanfare Magazine) ~*~ "An absolutely gorgeous, wonderful, magnificent Sonata for viola and piano…so American. ...a fascinating piano introduction that really nails the interest immediately because it hints at mysteries, then it's followed by the viola's intensely Poe-ish colors and temperament. It's a beauty, again, of narrative imagination, a wonderful piece of writing for viola. It is virtuosic, everything a violist looks for in a recital piece. There are romantic bits in here, some hair-raising twilight zone intervals between notes, if that makes any sense, thrilling, kooky, mysterious, as was the man. It has a tremendous connection to America and American history and American literature. It is a beautiful sonata and it sounds so beautiful. The writing is so gorgeous." (Daniel Kepl)