Concetta Abbate’s LAMINARIA is a 13-track journey into the deep, unsettling realms of trauma, life, and death, framed through a folk horror lens. As a follow-up to her acclaimed Mirror Touch, this album sees Abbate take a bold step into orchestral composition, assembling a 10-piece ensemble to craft a sound that is as haunting as it is beautiful. Inspired by the Latin word for kelp, a plant used to induce both birth and abortion, LAMINARIA stands at the intersection of creation and destruction, exploring the liminal space between.
The album’s narrative, woven throughout its 13 tracks, confronts the listener with the emotional weight of confronting past trauma, symbolized by a shadow ghost lurking beneath the ocean’s surface. Each track offers a distinct chapter in this eerie story, drawing listeners deeper into its vast soundscape. The music mirrors the unpredictability of nature, as well as the cycle of life and death, creating a compelling experience that is both unsettling and cathartic.
One of the album’s standout qualities is its wide range of compositional styles, blending influences from folk, classical, and film score traditions. From eerie, minimalist sections to grand, lush orchestrations, Abbate’s ability to seamlessly transition between styles keeps the listener engaged, pulling them through a spectrum of emotions. The rich instrumentation includes low-end woodwinds like bassoon, bass clarinet, and alto flute, combined with string players who also sing as they perform, creating a ghostly, ethereal tone throughout the album. A rhythm section of guitar, drum kit, and keyboard adds grounding texture, while hand-built instruments by Skip la Plante produce analog foley effects that deepen the album’s immersive, oceanic feel.
LAMINARIA has already garnered a cult following through its live performances in New York City, where it was performed 11 times. Six of these performances were in collaboration with the Wendy Osserman Dance Company, who created original choreography that visually embodied the album’s haunting themes. These live interpretations only intensified the depth and emotional complexity of the music, captivating audiences with both sound and movement.
As a violinist, composer, and death doula, Abbate brings a deeply personal perspective to the album, intertwining her professional and artistic experiences into a cohesive narrative about the overwhelming power of nature and the inevitability of facing one’s own inner demons. The careful orchestration and unique blending of styles give LAMINARIA a fresh, innovative sound, making it a captivating experience from start to finish.
Released on October 25th, 2024, through Composers Concordance Records and the NAXOS International Classical Music Library, this release offers listeners the chance to confront their own shadow ghosts through a unique, eerie, and emotional masterpiece.