Neha features two modern orchestral works from Slovak composer Adrián Demoè. Each portrays a feeling of both felt & forlorn emotionality, and building-if- at times fraught grace- with hauntingly harmonic undertones.

I first became aware of Mr. Demoè’s work in 2021 with the release of  Hlaholika( also on Another Timbre) which brought together four contemporary chamber works from the composer. I was most taken by his ability to mix the felt with the angular, and harmony with discord. So, when I saw he had a new release out- I just had to hear it.

Each of the works comes in around the half an hour mark.  First up we have "Neha"- which is the Slovak word for tenderness. It’s from the year 2018 and is played here by the Slovak Radio Symphony orchestra- which on this occasion was conducted by Marián Lejava.  It opens with a lone and slightly sustained single piano note-  with each repetition of the note the orchestral back glow seems to increase. In time a few more notes are added, and a very slow-but- steady melody develops- which is edged by string simmers, light orchestral swoons, and slight whistling pitch warbles- which add to both emotional & moody depth to proceedings. There is a feeling of both space & breath in the work, and this both increases the sonic tension and haunting circularity of the work. At points, the power & depth of the orchestrion grows and presses, but at others, it pares back once more- with both the fragility of the melody & structure becoming clear in these moments.

Next up we have “Popínavá Hudba”- which translates to Climbing Music-  a most fitting title for the work as it’s built around a series of swooningly darting ‘n’ plucking patterns, that seem to be trying to climb in a focused and forlornly graceful manner- but each time they do it’s somehow stretched, pulled, or gently wrapped in some way. The work is from 2022- it’s played by Ostrava New Orchestra, and conducted by Petr Kotik. The work is built around a series of plucking, key darting, and piping patterns which are constantly trying to form a full and focused shape/melody though they keep being strained and dragged out. The work features both moments of hurt fragility, wavering grandeur, and lush uncertainty.

As a release, Neha finds Demoè once again balancing between emotion and hopelessness, with melody and discord. Maybe not be quite as impactful album as Hlaholika- but it’s still a fine release featuring two most worthy orchestral-focused works from  Mr Demoè.