Vivek Venugopal
AN ODE TO THE MORPHING MUSE - Op. 6
Suite in 4 movements
I. A
Lasting First Impression - Soprano, Guitar, Piano, Violoncello
II. Dreams & Resonances - Soprano, Guitar, Violoncello
III. The Deepest Recesses of the Soul - Soprano, Piano, Violoncello
IV. Exultation, Liberation - Soprano, Alto, Piano, Violoncello
II. Dreams & Resonances - Soprano, Guitar, Violoncello
III. The Deepest Recesses of the Soul - Soprano, Piano, Violoncello
IV. Exultation, Liberation - Soprano, Alto, Piano, Violoncello
Musicians
Salome – Voice - soprano
Tatiana Kritskaya - Violoncello
Jay Parte - Piano
Vivek Venugopal - Guitar
Anusha Ramasubramoney – Voice - alto
Tatiana Kritskaya - Violoncello
Jay Parte - Piano
Vivek Venugopal - Guitar
Anusha Ramasubramoney – Voice - alto
Composer
Vivek Venugopal's strikingly modern, neo classical sort of chamber music could
possibly be called progressive music, but we tend to agree with what the young
composer calls it, 'contemporary classical'.
An
Ode to the Morphing Muse - Op. 6 - Suite in four movements is an absolutely original and unique musical
composition. The strikingly vivid composition
is direct, forthright, strictly
composed and highly engaging and it would possibly appeal to listeners
of different aesthetic orientations, even those who don't habitually listen to
classical music, or music that demands complete attention.
The
suite is an unusual combination of wordless voices, cello, piano and guitar;
with the soaring soprano voice used as an instrument that sometimes sits on top
of the other instrumentation and sometimes blends in and harmonises with the
cello and piano, both of which seamlessly take the lead, or harmonise as the
composer has imagined and written it.
These
tasteful and communicative songs without words are innovative in harmony and texture and the composition's full,
rich and bold colours compel, engross and involve.
Though
connected, each movement could be called a tone poem and could stand on its own
as the names of each movement indicate, yet when listened to as a single
composition in four movements, one does get a sense of completeness.
The
voices and instrumentalists together, perform the composition thoughtfully and
skilfully, the Indo-Israeli soprano
singer, Salome with her pure voice with minimum vibrato, the Russian cellist, Tatiana Kritskaya's
wonderful tone and precision, Alto singer, Anusha Ramasubramoney's clear and cool intonation and pianist Jay Parte's fine touch
and acute understanding of the composition, and, composer guitarist, Vivek Venugopal's finger
picking acoustic guitar in the first two movements provides a landscape-like
backdrop to the music.
All
in all, 'An Ode to the Morphing Muse' is a nicely performed album of charmingly
shaped melodies that that are a pleasure to listen to - again and again.
1. a lasting First impression
2. Dreams & Resonances
3. The Deepest Recesses of the Soul
4. Exultation Liberation
The music will be available on all streaming platforms on Sept 4th. The high resolution, virtual edition of the music is available for purchase on visitamusic.com'