The Amazon rainforest is almost mythical in its richness and diversity, and music inspired by it is often the same. On Amazônia, composer Miguel Kertsman captures the awe-inspiring beauty and fragility of one of the world’s natural wonders and pays homage to his homeland of Brazil. Featuring four of his earlier symphonic works, the album peers into the budding composer’s early career, already rich with genre experimentation and musical storytelling. Kertsman’s juxtaposition of Brazilian folk tradition with orchestral composition bends the rules of classical, creating a worldly sound with universal resonance...

As a collection of modern symphonic works, Amazônia really shines in both its range and ability to really paint an imaginative narrative through music.

The opening 'Amazônia, Symphonic Poem (Amazônia, Poema Sinfônico)' (16:28) draws parallels with Prokofiev's Op. 64 Romeo and Juliet ballet.

For me, the flute led 'Choro, So He Sang My Beloved Father, Now He Sings From Heaven' (8:04) was this collection's heart and soul. It draws you in and rips out your heart with its melancholic love song. It has so many highlights that despite playing this numerous times over a month, I still constantly find new elements to warm to.

'Chamber Symphony No. 1 for Dark Orchestra, "Acorda!"' (11:17) is a little more avant-garde in its approach. There's an intricate choral segment that, whilst beautiful, feels a little out of place when buffered up against the orchestral elements.

As a collection, it's pretty hard to fault this release. There's something here for all tastes, with 5 tracks delivering just shy of an hour's (59 min, 07 sec) worth of music.

9

Darren Rea