 Opus 42 nrs. 1, 2, 3  ESQ (experimental string quartet, 1999) Buy album Violin Karen Akroyd Soprano Jaqueline Barron Fretless bass Paul Downing violin Anne-Marie Kirby Alto Mae McKenna Piano/Synth Jill Jarman viola John greswell Tenor Jeremy Rose Saxophone Phil Todd cello Joanne Cox Bass Lyndsay Benson Sound engineer pete Smith 'Voices' mix Julian Scott Production Jill Jarman Recorded at Danby Hall and Peter Samuel Hall Original logo design Derek Jones Cover design Jackie Lewin 'Voices' - Op42 nr.1 [20:07] Written for string and vocal quartet
this piece represents snatches of voices we are bombarded with
throughout our lives. the third movement encapsulates this and you can
hear a heartbeat represented by pizzicato cello at the beginning and end
signifying a life's journey. the vocalists are used as an instrumental
quartet with very few actual words - the words we do hear are whispered
as though fighting for prominence amongst the mirage of day to day
exchanges.
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'Moods' - op42 nr.2 [17:40] Unusually
an electric fretless bass and synthesizer join the string quartet and
piano. Moods, as its title suggests, sets different moods in each
movement. The first movement is reflective using an interweaving
texture between the instruments. Although its form takes its roots from
a classical sonata, it has strong harmonic jazz influences. the viola
has a featured solo as does the violin and piano. the second movement
is representative of a manic depressive mood, and is intensely personal
to the composer who is trying to represent the mood swings of an artist
and their work. Alternating between bursts of soaring energy and
soulful melody it keeps the listener guessing as to what's coming next.
the third movement, only 2 minutes long, is a reaction to the intensity
of the 2nd. The hypnotic quality of the repetitive piano brings a quiet
calm over which the strings and bass meander gently to bring this piece
to a close.
'Friends' - op42 nr.3 [36:00] Written for vocal and string quartet, piano/synthesiser, fretless bass and jazz saxophone. Starting
in a contemplative mood the first movement suggests the unique
relationship between friends. A monotone vocal line tells of "no words
needed". the lines between contemporary classical, jazz and popular
music are merged. Halfway through the piece a solo jazz saxophone is
joined by a jazz bass over which a vocal ostinato brings the whole
piece into a boisterous humerus mood representing the joys of
friendship. the 2nd movement takes the form of a theme (varied on each
appearance) and variations which were written with the 'personality' of
each instrument in mind. The 3rd movement is a more spiritual
look at friendship, with bursts of gospel-like vocal lines. The
bass confirms that the 'party' atmosphere is never far away though,
with a recurring up-tempo latin-based motif. The climax brings a
recited poem over which the main theme is played by the strings.
SUPPORTED BY THE NATIONAL LOTTERY THROUGH THE ARTS COUNCIL OF ENGLAND
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