The Darkness Of Fury
Navona, 2025
8/10
Listen to The Darkness Of Fury
The Iranian-American composer, Reza Vali, returns with a 2nd album of cross-cultural selections, where the 5 songs radiate in solo and fuller settings.
The title track opens with the Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen emitting dense, cinematic ideas in a very precise setting, and “Châhârsegâh” follows with percussion, harp, piano and strings interacting with restraint and playfulness via the melodic and rich avenues.
“Funèbre” lands in the middle and pairs the solo violin with the string orchestra and enlists soft and intimate gestures, while “Châhârgâh” returns again with 10 solo strings that offer a mesmerizing and even haunting delivery.
“The Dervish and the Magus” exits, and spotlights Carol Ou’s graceful cello amid the rich textures from the ensemble that make for both calm and cryptic gestures in often bare bouts.
Vali’s inestimable knowledge of Iranian folk music and Persian ideas mesh well with the Western spirit for this orchestral and worldly endeavor that is both daring and memorable.
Travels well with: Andalusian Legacy; Trace Johnson- Works For Cello