Navona Records presents Symphonic Stradivarius, featuring decorated violinist Davide Alogna and the esteemed London Symphony Orchestra. Several contemporary composers assemble in this release to showcase the diverse influences and creative capabilities of modern classical composition. Recorded at the historic LSO St. Lukes, this repertoire offers musical insight into the environmental aspects of our world, all united by a world class ensemble, celebrated soloist, and an instrument that has been passed down through centuries of lauded performers: a “1690s ‘Stephens’ Stradivari” belonging to the very first group of red varnished Violins ever made...

Contemporary compositions have a tendency to fall into two very different camps. Those that respect the discipline and tradition of the art of classical music and those that want to appear original, using the art form as a springboard to deliver something new and original... occasionally atonal and jarring. For me, if the music doesn't touch something deep within my soul... then it's not worth investing my time with it.

Thankfully, Symphonic Stradivarius is crammed with modern compositions that are fully respectful of the past history of the art form. The only maverick-esque work on this collection is Liova Bueno's 'Evening on the Hill'. However, thankfully, the piece is based in traditional composition, branching out and slightly experimenting with a horror-esque approach, focusing on shock and awe. And it works wonderfully to draw you in emotionally, shock you, unnerve you and leave you unsettled. Deborah Kavasch's 'The Peace of Wild Things: A Reflection' is another beautifully unsettling work.

Emotionally, Joseph T. Spaniola's melancholic 'A Solitary Tree' was, for me, the most rewarding piece here. Nan Avant's 'Nani Lahaina - Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra' feels like a great American homecoming. It gives off Little House on the Prairie historical western vibes.

There were quite a few moments were I was reminded of movie scores. This is most notable on Paul Paccione's 'Wave Forms', which brought to mind, in places, Christopher Young's dark and brooding work in the horror soundtrack genre.

I really enjoyed this diverse and emotionally rewarding collection.

Track listing:

Sophia Serghi
01. Dragonflies (5:22)

Joseph T. Spaniola
02. A Solitary Tree (5:25)

Mark Dal Porto
03. Tarantella (6:06)

Deborah Kavasch
04. The Peace of Wild Things: A Reflection (6:04)

Liova Bueno
05. Evening on the Hill (5:33)

Barbara Jazwinski
06. Beyond the Sunset (5:32)

Nan Avant
07. Nani Lahaina - Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra (4:46)

Michael J. Evans
08. It's Your Choice (5:08)

Derek A. McKinney and Marcos Mares-McKinney
09. The Seed (5:32)

Paul Paccione
10. Wave Forms (5:39)

Richard E Brown
11. Fire Dance (5:24)

9

Darren Rea