The Living American
Albany, 2023
8/10
The inimitable violinist Timothy Schwarz returns with his 5th album as leader, where 7 of today’s esteemed composers are fleshed out with strong attention to mood and technique.
Steven Sametz’s “Fantasia on Lama badaa yatasana” opens the listen with much emphasis on pitch, as Schwarz manipulates his instrument via a highly emotive presence, and “String Poetic: Blue Hills of Mist”, by Jennifer Higdon, follows with Charles Abramovic’s piano along for the stirring and intimate landscape.
In the middle, “Lacrimosa", by Joseph Goodrich, emits a distinct warmth that benefits from Abramovic’s eloquent keys, while “Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano” allows for the piano strings to interact with much grace and poeticism amid a subdued delivery in the Avner Dorman piece.
The final two compositions are among the best, where Reena Esmail’s “Darshan: Raag Charukeshi” offers a dreamy, gripping display of meticulous violin playing, and “Australian Sketches for Violin, Piano, Double Bass, and Drum Set” welcomes Abramovic’s keys, Douglas Mapp’s double bass and Doug Hirlinger’s drums for the fuller 5 chapters that are dynamic and wide in scope.
A flawless example of Schwarz’s rich playing and eclectic vision, both the animated and gentle gestures further solidify his position as one of the best modern day violinists.
Travels well with: Danny Fox Trio- Time Took Care Of It; Color As Time- Soma Schema