All the way from Russia, we bring you something a little different with this latest review, as we take in the alluring tones of coveted Moscow musician and composer An Vedi. Bringing classical music into the 21st century, her brilliantly composed pieces have seen her receive acclaim as we as multiple international awards. With Songs Of A Nocad Troubadour she further proves why she has developed such a strong reputation within her circles for her songs.
The album opens with A Little Secret. Setting the scene for what is to come, it is a beautifully mesmeric track in both its composition and vocally. The fragile power she portrays with her voice is eerily cinematic and really engulfs you in such a way that it consumes your senses. Her ability to blend these such classical sounds with a voice which feels more contemporary are testament to the unerring talents which she had repeatedly been recognised for.
This new release is a fifteen track LP, which for those of us not too versed in these sort of classical sounds may seem a little daunting. What she does so wonderfully, though, is change up the tempo and style throughout, to keep it from at any point feeling flat.
Alice In Wonderland is perfect example of this change of tempo. A track which feels more frivolous in nature while retraining the absolute highest levels of craftsmanship, it demonstrates the versatility she brings to this well trodden style of music. This is a track which leans more on the vocals than some of the others, and it pays off. The unrelenting emotion that this voice can portray is truly astonishing, and leaves you yourself unable to not feel some of that seeping through into your own consciousness.
The biggest compliment we can pay this album is that it is gripping even to someone who would not usually actively seek out this style. Her’s is a sound which truly grabs you from the moment you press play on the first track, and it doesn’t let you go until the final seconds of the last track have ceased.
Possibly the highlight of the album is Everything Will Come. This is where all the elements she presents come together perfectly. Its once again a track which allows the vocals to take centre stage, but rather than feeling delicate as they do at some points, this really promotes the strength of voice she possesses. It’s a track which is less cinematic than it is operatic, at points really leaping from the speakers with a sound that absolutely engulfs you in its power. This feels like the point everything before has been building to, and the crescendo has been more than worth the wait when you arrive.
Its perhaps unsurprising to those already familiar with An Verdi who spectacular this release is. Among her accolades are international awards for her abilities as a violinist, composer, chamber music performer, singer, conductor. She also conducts master classes for young musicians whom, judging from this release, are in the very best of hands.
The album comes to a close with the fifteenth and final track, The Light And The Night. A very spacious track compared to some of the busier ones previous, it has an eeriness to it which brings the whole experience of this LP to a satisfying close. As the last few words chords enter your ears you feel less like you have listened to this album, and more like you have experienced it. You feel somehow different as you depart from it, your opinions on classical music changed. You come away from it richer, and you blessed your eyes have been opened to the wonderful talents of An Verdi forever.
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