Under An Indigo Sky
Navona, 2023
8/10
A body of work that showcases two concertos that celebrate and illuminate the history and culture of the Southeastern United States, the Charleston South Carolina native Edward Hart sees his vision brought to life thanks to Yuriy Bekker, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Harlem Quartet.
The title track starts the listen with Bekker’s lively and very diverse violin alongside the booming, melodic and unpredictable sounds of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, who use giant percussive sounds and swift, flowing strings to paint a very colorful picture.
“A Charleston Concerto” makes up the 2nd half of the listen, and it includes the Harlem Quartet, i.e. Ilmar Gavilán and Melissa White’s expressive violins, Jaime Amador’s moody viola and Felix Umansky’s playful cello. Together, with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, they make for very busy moments as well as calm, intimate gestures of beauty.
Ken Lam handles conducting duties across the listen, as Hart focuses on the natural beauty and multicultural heritage of his homeland with timeless and moving chamber and orchestral ideas that we could never tire of.
Travels well with: Amaro Dubois- Luz; Jeffrey Hall- Artifacts