Geneva Lewis's debut album for Delos, featuring violin concertos by Samuel Barber, John Zorn, and Philip Glass, showcases her exceptional virtuosity and warmth. Accompanied by conductor Gemma New and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Lewis delivers a compelling all-American program that highlights her lyrical phrasing and technical brilliance.
Barber's Violin Concerto: A Poetic Reading
Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto receives an airy, poetic interpretation. Lewis and New embrace the music's lyrical pastoralism, pointing up the opening movement's scotch snap. The ongoing Celtic motif is seized upon by the orchestra and pays off in a moto perpetuo conclusion that feels second cousin to a highland fling. Lewis's tone is warm and full of feeling, aching in the allegro and andante, feisty and folkish in the finale.
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Zorn's Partita for the Firebird: Modernist Take
John Zorn's Partita for the Firebird is a modernist take on a baroque suite, including a catchy courante that channels a hoedown, with subtle allusions to Stravinsky's ballet. Lewis's virtuosity is on full display with laser-focused double stopping and filigree pianissimos at the very top of the instrument.
Glass's Violin Concerto No. 1: Haunting Beauty
Philip Glass's Violin Concerto No. 1, written in memory of his father, was his first major work for standard symphony orchestra. Slightly viscous orchestral textures and resonant engineering make it harder for the soloist to make a mark, but New leads an exhilarating account and Lewis's silvery tone is especially haunting in the pensive slow movement.
Performance Comparison
| Work | Composer | Key Characteristics | Lewis's Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin Concerto | Samuel Barber | Lyrical, pastoral, Celtic influences | Warm, aching, folkish |
| Partita for the Firebird | John Zorn | Modernist, baroque suite, Stravinsky allusions | Virtuosic, precise, filigree |
| Violin Concerto No. 1 | Philip Glass | Minimalist, viscous textures, memorial | Silvery, haunting, pensive |
Key Takeaways
- Geneva Lewis's Delos debut features an all-American program with works by Barber, Zorn, and Glass.
- Conductor Gemma New and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra provide empathetic accompaniment.
- Lewis's virtuosity shines in Zorn's Partita with double stopping and pianissimos.
- The Barber concerto receives a poetic reading with Celtic influences.
- Glass's concerto, though challenging for the soloist, features haunting slow movement.
FAQ
Who is Geneva Lewis?
Geneva Lewis is a violinist and former BBC New Generation Artist. She has gained recognition for her virtuosic performances and warm tone.
What works are included on this album?
The album includes Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto, John Zorn's Partita for the Firebird, and Philip Glass's Violin Concerto No. 1.
Who conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra on this recording?
Gemma New, a fellow New Zealander, conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra with palpable empathy.
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