Stop Pop

I’ve been on a bit of an operatic binge lately so I’d like to share my favourite modern opera album with you, Oceana and Three Songs by Osvaldo Golijov.

Release in 2007 and the second operatic piece written by Golijov, the album is separated into three parts. The bulk of the album is Oceana, an operatic piece styled after Bach and performed by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and vocals by Luciana Souza. The piece is both classical and profoundly Latin and Jazz sounding. The opera is brilliantly accessible with non-traditional operatic instrumentation including guitars, drums, and a large portion of Latin wood instruments including rainsticks, marracas, and clap sticks, in addition to the standard orchestration. The vocals empower the emotionally laden music drawing the listener deep into the turbulent story and rhythm. Playful winds contrast the robust choral performances filling the sound with life like few other modern works. Stunning solo performances by Souza further the melancholy attitude of the first call and then turn around abruptly wit the classical guitar driven second call that has a playful exuberance of a Brazilian Bossa club. The aria’s guitar instrumentation lends itself to a film-score like sound that would rivalry and mystery or thriller’s soundtrack.

The rest of the album is split up between the Three Songs and Tenebrae which on their own would make an excellent album. Deep writing emotions in the music are brilliant and so powerful that even just listening will move you. The attitude of the Three Songs and Tenebrae is profoundly depressed accomplished with significant use of string instrumentation. As stand alone pieces they rivalry any modern classical music and are a testament to the brilliance of Golijov.

Below is a selection from the album and I recommend picking up the album for yourself along with Golijov’s numerous other works. I am a fan of Ainadamar and Ayre but would recommend any of his albums. Enjoy.

1. Osvaldo Golijov - Oceana - Call

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

2. Osvaldo Golijov - Oceana - First Wave

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

3. Osvaldo Golijov - Oceana - Second Call

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

4. Osvaldo Golijov - Oceana - Second Wave

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

5. Osvaldo Golijov - Oceana - Third Wave

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

6. Osvaldo Golijov - Tenebrae I

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

7. Osvaldo Golijov - Tenebrae II

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

8. Osvaldo Golijov - Three Songs - How Slow The Wind

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

9. Osvaldo Golijov - Three Songs - Lua Descolorida

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

10. Osvaldo Golijov - Three Songs - Night of the Flying Horses - Doina- Gallop

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.