distantViolinSound
New Focus, 2025
9/10
The composer Reiko Füting presents instrumental works for violin, where both solo and large group settings unfold with attention to the psychological and historical reference in regards to exploration of moral, artistic, political and spiritual decisions.
“passage: time (copy)” opens with Miranda Cuckson’s gripping violin that’s played with precision, adventurousness and a nearly sci-fi quivering, and “mo(ve) ment for 2: Choreophonie- Schatten/Spiegeltanz” follows with Doori Na’s violin and Jing Yang’s piano interacting with warmth, atmosphere and uniquely harmonic stabs.
Landing in the middle, “Chorale (‘those driven out will come”) recruits violins from Julia Jung Un Suh and Molly Germer, viola courtesy of Lena Vidulich and Thea Mesirow’s cello that emits much richness and expressiveness, where 2 quotes from the New and Old Testaments are present.
Deeper on the back half, “act: ab-stain, from” offers an atypical chamber vision via Ford Fourqurean’s clarinet, Matheus Souza’s violin, Issei Herr’s cello and Daniel Anastasio’s piano that balances both firm and soft gestures, and “von der Stadt” exits with an ensemble present for the nearly 9 minutes of winds, strings, Ronald Vitzhum’s double bass and Füting’s keys that radiate mystery, beauty and elegance.
A truly engaging effort of modern chamber and contemporary classical sounds, Füting’s vision guides us through assimilation, dissimilation, integration, disintegration and segregation with an enlightening spirit.
Travels well with: New Thread Quartet- Saxifraga; Zack Clarke & Chris Irvine- Stereotaxi