Fantasy For Violin & Piano
Navona, 2022
8/10
Listen to Fantasy For Violin & Piano
The composer Benjamin Shorstein explores emotion and character on this highly engaging listen that takes form and structure into consideration as Lucia Luque handles violin and Marcelo Balat plays piano on a listen that’s sometimes improvised.
The improvised title track begins the listen with a nearly ominous approach that rumbles a bit, where the strings are quite absorbing and the agile keys are never short on melody or unpredictability.
The middle track is just Balat’s stunning piano skills that populate “Sonata For Piano”, and they sure do mesmerize with flowing finger acrobatics that are dizzying, sometimes dreamy, and quite charming.
“Partita For Solo Violin” exits the listen, and it’s full of spellbinding string gestures that can be firm, gentle and emotional, and are performed with an unparalleled attention to detail.
Shortstein manipulates melody and dissonance here with fascinating results, and it makes for a very inviting chamber affair that uses piano and violin with much care and exploration.
Travels well with: The Great Necks- Impressions Of Spain; Peter Dayton- Stories Out Of Cherry Stems