Works For Violin And Orchestra
Blue Griffin, 2023
8/10
Listen to Violin Concerto, Op. 74
Undoubtedly one of the most revered composers from this generation, the pianist Lowell Liebermann brings us 4 world premiere recordings, where Aiman Mussakhajayeva and the Kazakh State Symphony Orchestra accompany him.
The title track opens the listen with much attention to atmosphere, as the cinematic strings make for an emotive and stirring presence, where, by the 3rd chapter, the setting is quite animated and very much benefitting from Mussakhajayeva’s violin.
The middle tracks belong to the mesmerizing and flowing “Chamber Concerto No. 1 Op. 28a”, which carries a sublime dreaminess, while “Chamber Concerto No. 2, Op. 98a” uses violin and string orchestra for an acutely moving and rich display of tense versus calm moments.
The final piece, “Air, Op. 118”, is the album’s best, and radiates a timeless beauty from the agile and expressive strings.
A body of work that covers 30 years of Liebermann’s songwriting, the technical aspect of these compositions is just as admirable as the flawless delivery.