Advent of the Symphonina By The Symphonina Foundation

 

Advent of the Symphonina

By

The Symphonina Foundation

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

This is the second release from The Symphonina Foundation; their mission is an interesting if not challenging one, that of bringing the art of symphonic music to younger audiences around the globe, and in doing so perhaps a new genre has evolved from the classical to the symphonic.

The album is created in four parts, with the first of the composers being the winner of the 2023 Symphonina composition in Alexander Unseth and performed by the 2024 International Symphonina Orchestra. The composer’s lighter touch on his 4-4 part symphony is blissful, reminding me of screen and stage presentations, full of life and colour. Symphonina No. 1 (Symphonina in C), Movement 1 starts the proceedings, with a veritable swathe of passion and power in the most grand of ways, whilst Symphonina No. 1 (Symphonina in C) Movement 2 has a far more gentle caress of tone and timbre, its textured string sections almost remind me at times of Vaughn Williams, and its more ebullient vibrations a simple delight to behold, with a fluent and gentle coda too.

Symphonina No. 1 (Symphonina in C) Movement 3 of Unseth’s magisterial arrangement is a ride of a higher elevation of tonal power, an almost procession at times moves us through the piece with utter precision. I adored this piece; the juxtaposition from the middle segment to the latter is a work of genius, with a short allegro, then moving into a careful diminuendo, this was truly captivating and enjoyable.

The conclusion comes with Symphonina No. 1 (Symphonina in C) Movement 4, a proud and lively piece, an arrangement that will never hide itself from the gaze of humanity, the clever notes, tones and singular performances on this piece were quite frankly amazing, it was the depiction of Espressivo in all its glory, and a completely breath taking ride to end this amazing piece.

Our second composer, Jordan Jinosko came in as runner up in the 2023 Symphonina composition. Her work I found had such a profound depth and such a sweet heart-felt timbre, the early string opening to Symphonina No. 1, Movement 1 (Water) was beyond desirable, and showed the moving emotive qualities of the composer in great clarity, and utilising the skill set of The Budapest Scoring Orchestra whilst doing so.

Symphonina No. 1, Movement 2 (Woodlands) has a whole new feel to the compositional structure, starting off with a slow and teasing opening we are then shifted up a gear, to a piece that contains a slight Celtic influence as we roam among the musical forests and woodlands of our heart, this arrangement had not only depth to its structure, but also such a vast open space with which the listener could freely roam.

The slow, but progressive measures on Symphonina No. 1, Movement 3 (Heights), was once again moving in its initial energies, this is a composition that raises the desire of peace in one to come to the fore, this was without doubt one of the most emotive creations ever, and once more I likened the quality to that of Williams and A Lark Ascending, this was without doubt a great experience and was simply, utterly and magnificently stunning.

As we swim willingly in to the latter half of the album we come across the work of David Fogel, who is also both CEO and Co-Founder of the great organisation that is The Symphonina Foundation. This work of 3 movements was recorded by The Budapest Scoring Orchestra and is a simply delightful voyage through the ripe orange groves of piano mastery; the opening piece starts with a lush and textured symphonic entrance, whilst the piano of Fogel allows us to move in time with the artist and composer in the most creative and artistic of ways on Symphonina No. 5, Movement 1.

The glorious refrains of Symphonina No. 5, Movement 2 are now upon us, this is utterly splendid in colour, tone and timbre, and Fogel’s fluent piano performance is a ride one will never wish to end; the wonderful symphonic juxtaposition is a pleasure that is much appreciated.

The pianist within his concluding movement in Symphonina No. 5, Movement 3, literally takes the listener back in time, to a moment when the grand nature of symphonic music was at its highest, perhaps even back as far as Theodor Kullak in 1847. Regardless this is one of those symphonies that will always remain close to your heart, a jig of a composition at its latter stages, and an arrangement filled with true uplifting musical narrative.

We now look down the valleys of musical plenitude to our final composer Daniel Fisher, a man with the good fortune to have recorded at Abbey Road Studios with non-other than both the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras.

Fishers Symphonina in 3 movements is a beautiful voyage of a sun-kissed moment of time, a gaze across the plains on a sunlit day perhaps; this is idyllic in every sense of the word, and reminds me of compositions created for TV and film by an old friend of mine in Michael Hoppe.  Symphonina No. 1, Movement 1 is a grand cascade of colour falling from an azure sky; this is music to lift both the heart and the soul.

Symphonina No. 1, Movement 2 is almost Baroque in its elegance, the added gestures of guitar are beautifully layered within a string based creation, which would be easy to simply dance to. The rhythm and tempo here are utterly undeniable and flourish with a true sense of happiness and joy.

When we move to the final movement we find a more emotive and reflective offering, Symphonina No. 1, Movement 3 is an ever onward journey of a creation, one that takes us on its carriage of musical fluency, and drives us along lanes of smooth and melodic melodies, which eventually bring us to an exciting and effervescent crescendo to conclude the symphony with both style and grace.

Advent of the Symphonina by The Symphonina Foundation is an album of bubbling potential, to garner interest from a younger audience for this style of music is a worthy cause indeed, music that inspires and creates a waterfall of artistic possibilities will always be. Here on this release we have four composers who have played the long game, and with their heart on their sleeves whilst doing so, and my thoughts are that this release should be adored by all ages, as it is one of the finest examples of symphonic music around in this 21st century of ours.