Lisa Swerdlow - The Arrival: Third Movement
Classical, New Age, Classical Crossover
California, United States
Overall Impression: Gracefully arranged and superbly performed, "The Arrival: Third Movement, Coming to America Concerto " is a deeply emotive and highly rewarding listening experience that ebbs and flows beautifully between its moments of sadness, anxiety, and joy with the utmost refinement and maturity. Lisa Swerdlow has put together a highly enthralling finale to her "Coming To America" concerto and she manages to effortlessly conjure up a powerful emotional response from the listener, ensuring they find themselves continually invested in the music from those delicate first few piano touches all the way to very last.
Strongest Point(s): Lisa is clearly a outstanding performer and writer, and the sophistication in the arrangement perfectly details this. The way melodies elegantly weave in and out and to and from one another against the sublime harmonic backdrop is excellent and there is a definite feeling of emotional contour to the piece that manages to evoke a number of profound emotional responses from the listener. Whilst the opening conjures up elements of both hope and uncertainty with its cleverly realized push-pull dynamic that flicks back and forth between its cheery and somber tones, the ending arouses an almost romantic aesthetic that brings the piece to a state of positive resolution. Lisa handles the balancing of these feelings marvelously through here deft musicality and thematic awareness, culminating in a wonderfully free-flowing piece that moves along with incredible grace. The overall mix and general quality of the recording is also of a very high standard, all elements of the track have been well balanced and have been given the necessary space to breathe in the mix, resulting in a recording that boasts great clarity and is highly engaging.
Target Audience Appeal: This is an exemplary Neo-Classical piece and I'm sure lovers of the genre will find a deep connection with it.
Artist target suggestions: Marina Baranova, Maryna Aksenov, Sophia Jani, Antonin Dvorak, Ell Kendall, Giuseppe Verdi Phil Best, Gustav Mahler, Peter Ries, Max Richter, Sophie Hutchings, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar, as well as teaching it, helping students both learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and how to become proficient in home recording.