Coleridge- Taylor
Chineke!, 2022
8/10
Europe’s first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra return with a double disc that pays tribute to Samuel Coleridge-Taylor,
The first 5 movements belongs to “Othello Orchestral Suite, Op. 79”, where the string interaction is fluid, exciting and dances with the firm drumming in both booming and intimate areas, and “Sussex Landscape, Op. 27” follows with a reflective tone that quivers a bit and surrounds itself with stirring strings.
Deeper into Disc 1, the very agile “Ballade in A minor, Op. 33 “ emits a highly dreamy and animated appeal, while Disc 2 leads with “Concerto for Violin & Orchestra in G minor, Op. 80”, where Elena Urioste’s proficient violin playing won’t go unnoticed.
Closer to the end, the indeed romantic spirit of “Romance in G major, Op. 39” is full of cautious and cozy moods, and “Nonet in F minor, Op. 2” exits the listen with heartfelt, ambitious song craft that truly exemplifies all the aspects of the orchestra that have made them so admired around the globe.
Chineke! live under the motto of ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’, and that vision certainly is present and appreciated across this well executed classical listen.
Travels well with: Catalyst Quartet- Uncovered Vol. 2: Florence B. Price; Richard Wagner- The Golden Ring