On, Light after Darkness, Elena Ortega creates a sonic landscape of deep introspection and healing, a journey that seamlessly blends contemporary guitar music with timeless classical works. Her second album is not just a collection of musical pieces—it’s an intimate diary of emotional exploration, navigating through life’s turbulent passages and emerging on the other side with a sense of peace and joy. Ortega’s interpretation of each work reveals a level of vulnerability and sincerity that elevates the music to something beyond performance—an offering of emotional authenticity.
The album opens with ‘Carta a Lucina’, a piece that introduces a world of nostalgia and wistfulness. Juan Erena’s composition drifts through layers of harmonic textures, conjuring images of unspoken love and absence. The atmosphere is thick with longing, drawing the listener into a space where the pain of unfulfilled potential is felt deeply. As Ortega transitions into ‘Choro da Saudade’, the Brazilian “choro” rhythm delivers an unexpected but perfectly fitting counterpoint to the sadness. The choro’s rhythmic drive, imbued with the concept of “saudade,” encapsulates that sense of aching emptiness that comes from missing someone deeply.
From there, the album flows seamlessly into works like ‘Variations on an Anatolian Folksong’ by Carlo Domeniconi, where the guitar speaks with the raw disorientation of someone lost on their path. The repetition of the theme throughout the variations suggests a constant quest for clarity, but like the journey of life itself, the road is never linear. The haunting beauty of ‘Dreams’ by Sergio Assad offers a moment of reflection on the loneliness of the human experience, before ‘La Serenor’ brings a much-needed sense of calm. As Vicente Asencio’s piece unfolds, the listener feels the tension dissipate as if the air itself is clearing, inviting in a lightness of spirit.
The emotional progression toward hope and joy is evident in the latter part of the album, especially in ‘Sevilla’, which radiates warmth, friendship, and optimism. The music mirrors Ortega’s personal connection to the Andalusian city, embodying the joy she feels when surrounded by friends and the lasting light of those relationships. Similarly, the playful ‘Guajira’ by Emilio Pujol brings an exuberant close to the journey, a celebration of the simple joys in life, like the music shared with loved ones in moments of togetherness.
Elena Ortega’s, Light after Darkness, is not just an album—it’s a therapeutic experience, a guide to navigating the full spectrum of human emotion. Her guitar becomes both a storyteller and a companion, walking the listener through the shadows and into the light. It’s a reminder that, even after the darkest moments, there is always the possibility of healing and joy.
