It doesn’t happen every day to discover such a quirky and leftfield composition. We could probably describe it better as a nuanced musical exploration, a dive into uncharted territories, yet maintaining a clear vision of the end goal. Proudly carrying that vision is New York City-based composer and violinist Concetta Abbate, unveiling her latest effort, ‘LAMINARIA’, a self-proclaimed folk horror endeavour.
There’s a lot to unpack about ‘LAMINARIA’. First of all, the listening experience is fragmented and highly melancholic, oscillating between gypsy-flavoured violins (and fiddles of sorts) to authentic avant-garde moments. Evocative and gloomy vocal chants make an appearance too (for instance in ‘Shards of Glass’), which gives the composition a further layer of mystery and darkness. This relates to the album’s philosophical dimension, focusing on unresolved trauma and the cycle of life.
Over 13 pieces long, ‘LAMINARIA’ is a bold, forward-thinking record, one that will likely test both the patience and the understanding of classical music fans. In fact, it’s pretty fluid and multi-genre, really being its own outfit, rather than following a pre-conceived path. Released via Composers Concordance Records and NAXOS International Classical Music Library, ‘LAMINARIA’ has been funded by NYFA and New Music USA, and performed 11 times in collaboration with Wendy Osserman Dance Company.
Recommended! Discover Concetta Abbate’s ‘LAMINARIA’ on Spotify:
