| Please note this is an extremely long CD - nearly 80 minutes! Almost a double album.
John Law’s latest project: his large-scale work, Out Of The Darkness. A single piece in seven continuous movements, taking in influences from 20th century (the chromaticism and counterpoint of Shostakovich, the drive of Minimalist/Systems music, the collage of jazz and repeated fragments reminiscent of Turnage, the overlaying of Baroque elements rather like Tan Dun), contemporary jazz/swing and free jazz and containing a beautiful central slow movement, the piece also brings out of the four featured musicians, Andy Sheppard, John Law, Chris Laurence and Paul Clarvis, some of their most inspired playing.
The shorter pieces, Talitha Cumi and Nocturne, from the second half of the concert, present two completely different sound worlds: the former evoking the feeling of Eastern folk music, with a tinge of Garbarek-like ECM about it, and the latter a piece of quietness (mostly) and rich harmonies with a simplicity derived from the repetition of minimalism.
The encore, The Loop, is an unexpectedly funky piece, providing the whole project with a punchy ending.
The ensemble is first-rate: a collection of top classical musicians, some drawn from the ranks of the London Sinfonietta. |