Album Review: Fujin’s Dream by Daniel Velasco & Trio Lawrence
When a recording manages to feel both timeless and freshly inventive, you know you’ve stumbled upon something special. With Fujin’s Dream, flutist Daniel Velasco and his ensemble Trio Lawrence with Boris Vayner, viola and Erin Wood, harp, invite listeners into a vibrant sound world that bridges tradition, virtuosity, and imagination.
The album takes its name from Fujin’s Dream, a centerpiece work that conjures the Japanese god of wind with swirling textures and dynamic interplay. Velasco’s flute playing is nothing short of breathtaking—fluid and mercurial when the music calls for it, yet grounded in warmth and clarity. Joined by his Trio Lawrence colleagues, the ensemble achieves a seamless unity, each voice distinct but woven into a larger, compelling narrative.
Throughout the album, the repertoire reflects a kaleidoscope of global influences and contemporary voices from Eduardo Angulo, Airat Ichmouratov, Mikhail Glinka, David Bruce, and Théodore Dubois, the featured composers' works. In the first track, Eduardo Angulo's work entitled, "Bacanal" moves from delicate introspection to exhilarating rhythmic drive, demonstrating the trio’s remarkable versatility. Pieces that draw from folk traditions stand alongside bold, modern works, creating an ever-shifting musical landscape that surprises at every turn.
One of the album’s greatest strengths is its balance between technical brilliance and expressive depth. Velasco and Trio Lawrence never play for display; instead, their virtuosity is always in service of the music’s spirit. The result is an album that feels alive—each track like a story unfolding in real time, full of nuance and discovery.
Fujin’s Dream is more than just a showcase for flute and chamber ensemble—it’s an exploration of multi-cultural resonance, imagination, and the power of collaboration. Daniel Velasco and Trio Lawrence have crafted a recording that will captivate flutists, chamber music lovers, and anyone drawn to adventurous listening.
The music as performed by Daniel Velasco, Boris Vayner and Erin Wood, is an album to return to again and again, each hearing revealing new layers—like dreams themselves, fleeting yet unforgettable.