Luz
Navona, 2023
8/10
The violist Amaro Dubois is aligned with the pianist Tingting Yao for these interpretations of gorgeous Latin American music from 8 composers spread out across 12 tracks.
Edmundo Villani-Cortes’ “Luz” opens the listen with the strings and keys interacting with much warmth, emotion and beauty in a very rich demeanor, and “Elfentanz”, by Florence Price, follows with animated strings and dreamy piano playing that emits a very bright and meticulous appeal.
Deeper into the listen, “Five Negros Spirituals” unfolds over 5 chapters of stirring, poetic interaction between the pair in the Michael Tippett piece, while William Grant Still’s “Here’s One” offers sublime intimacy and very thoughtful chemistry between the pair.
José Elizondo’s “The Dawn Of Hope” arrives near the end, and really highlights Yao’s finger acrobatics amid the very elegant strings, and Zequinha de Abreu’s “Tico-tico no Fubá” exits with an energetic and exciting display of swift and memorable musicianship.
A very worldly appeal where the artists span five different countries, there’s much passion, love, and peace present and appreciated from Dubois and Yao’s superb artistry.
Travels well with: Jeffrey Hall- Artifacts; Frank Felice- The Beauty Of Innuendos