Alex Lubet Release a record with Victoria Vargas from written works by Amy Levy
- R.A.G.
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
The recent album release from Alex Lubet and Victoria Vargas showcases the first musical versions and settings of writer Amy Levy, who was an amazing poet and writer, and one of the first Jewish women to study at Cambridge University.
The way this all comes together is hi Alex, being an outstanding composer and dulcimer virtuoso, coming together with singer Victoria Vargas, who performs operatic and powerful vocals throughout this release, and it is all Levy's words.
This is not only an ode or love letter to the poet and her works, but also one of the first times that those works come through musically.
Listening to this is something that can really feel quite breathtaking as you can pay attention to the words and poetry in the form of lyrics, but the performance of how those come through can be beautifully intense and with such a robust approach, but still a gorgeous and elegant smoothness that comes through gracefully.
As I mentioned earlier, Alex Lubet is a dulcimer virtuoso and throughout this record the dulcimer performances vary and he's able to manipulate the sound of the instrument in unique ways.
This whole thing breeds a soundscape that wraps itself around you and takes you on these immense musical journeys and emotional pathways.
Being able to hear the words of Amy Levy expressed in such a form is a different level of performance and such a unique and wonderful way to honor the poet and utilize his abilities as a composer in a different way.
A lot of composers can think outside the box. That's part of being a composer in general. However, Alex was able to take something and combine different forms of art to build an atmosphere that you get pulled right into.
You can feel and sense the different moods and emotions throughout the course of this record, and it is absolutely astounding when you listen to the whole thing from start to finish.
The record can feel Sullen or sad, with hints of light at the end of the tunnel, but you also have a sense of spirit throughout it all, and knowing that you're listening to something with words that were written in the mid to late 1800s, which is when Amy Levy was alive, is a very immersive experience.
The record is composed of nine pieces, with some ranging over 17 minutes in length.
Listening to the entire record is such an impressive experience and this is exactly what I suggest you do.
Don't skip around. This was meant to be heard from start to finish.
These are pieces and words that are written to combine the mood, soundscape, and texture of a dulcimer and a voice, and bring that together with words of impact, stories of identity, and themes of heartfelt matters.
The record is called Amy Levy: Songs of Love and Loss.Â
Do not miss this, especially if you want to listen to something that will make you feel.