Symphonic Chronicles Vol 1
Navona, 2023
8/10
Listen to Symphonic Chronicles Vol 1
A diverse assembly of works from living composers that bring different backgrounds and influences, the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra flesh out these 6 very involved pieces.
“Desert Storm”, by Deborah Kavasch, has the London Symphony Orchestra making for a precisely textured, and soaring display of collaborative strings, percussion and winds, and Steve Law’s “Piano Concerto” follows with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Joseph Havlat’s dreamy piano birthing a very scenic and absorbing climate.
In the middle, “#elijah for Solo Violin and Orchestra”, by John Wineglass, places the London Symphony Orchestra alongside Yumi Hwang-Williams’ stirring violin for the emotive presence, while “Fantasy on Jazz”, by Barbara Jazwinski, showcases Samuel Brandão Marques’ playful clarinet alongside the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s atmospheric, cinematic interaction.
The final track, Simon Andrews’ “Interlude No. 3 from “The Scars On His Back”, illustrates a very animated and frisky presence from the London Symphony Orchestra, where both tense and melodic components are present.
A thematically wide listen that touches on jazz, the COVID pandemic and racial injustice, there’s much pop, minimalism and plenty of orchestral moments to be admired here.
Travels well with: Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge 3; Patterns- Chamber Works