Seasons Of Change
Bright Shiny Things, 2025
8/10
The violinist Curtis Stewart interprets the work of Vivaldi here, and it recruits a layered ensemble for an effort that surrounds climate change, class and the nature of digital memory.
“An Introduction Of Sorts” starts the listen with much ambience and cryptic vocals that set the foundation for the record, and “A Recent Summer” follows with Lara St. John’s tense violin bouts that align with Stewart’s distinct vision of experimental ideas.
In the middle, “Fallback” recruits Njioma Grievious’ playful violin plucking amid spoken word and percussive moments, while “Again” blends classical with unconventional bursts that mixes in voices that are expressive.
Charles Yang brings his violin to the last track, “Life Times”, which is full of emotion and radiates lush and adventurous waves of passionate song craft.
Stewart does justice to Vivaldi’s vision with unparalleled attention to detail and the use of unhoused people’s voices is layered into a truly fascinating version of modern classical.
Travels well with: Elizabeth Newkirk- The Americanist; Nicholas Finch- Cellostatus