Amoroso
Navona, 2023
8/10
Alex Klein’s oboe and Rita Costanzi’s harp come together for these archetypally romantic and warm chamber songs of classics by Debussy, Fauré, Massenet, Rachmaninoff, Piazzolla, and Rodrigo.
“Canção Pequena” starts the listen with the pair interacting with much grace and beauty, where a charming, cinematic quality unfolds, and “Rêverie, L. 68” follows with a very intimate spirit that flows with a poetic demeanor.
Further along, “Adagio” carries a cautious, stirring and dreamy personality that really allows the duo’s strong attention to detail flow, while “Première Arabesque” emits a twinkling that’s just so absorbing and articulate.
Advancing towards the ends, “Oblivion” offers a bare and reflective album highlight that allows the strings and wind to tug on the heartstrings, and “Nana” exits with a calm, introspective vision that’s timeless.
A very eloquent and careful take on contemporary romanticism, though a harp and oboe combination might not be a very common occurrence, Klein and Costanzi certainly navigate around the affair in alluring and memorable ways.
Travels well with: Peter Sulski- Bowed Colors; Paul Cohen- Center Chamber