Sound World @ The Crypt – 14 Jan: Concert review

I’ve been pretty busy over the last couple of weeks so this is a rather belated review of the second Sound World concert in the Crypt at the Mount Without (read my review of the first concert here). It certainly didn’t disappoint with another eclectic mix of contemporary music from a group that is fast becoming my favourite band!

I have to say that the selections this time were even more exclusive or hard to track down with only four pieces available on Spotify, two on YouTube, one on Soundcloud and two that are nowhere on the net.

As before the numbers were divided between the players. The composers represented were from UK, Canada, Australia and Malaysia and included Andy Keenan, Sadie Harrison, Thomas Adès, Charlotte Harding, Claude Vivier, Vivian Chua and Graham Fitkin. Most were knew names to me. All but one are currently alive and actively composing. The exception being Canadian Claude Vivier who was tragically murdered in 1983 aged only 35.

His Piéce for clarinette and violin is quite an oddity as there are so few pieces for this instrument combination. This is one of the really good aspects of these concerts – unlocking the unusual and making it accessible. That said, this and a couple of items on the programme didn’t immediately grab me but I don’t mind that as if anything it encourages me to listen again. I always admire pieces that take a bit of work!

My highlights of the night were:

For Boola by Andy Keenan. When I saw that this was a tribute to Duke Ellington I expected some high octane jazz. Instead this was a lovely, elegiac and somewhat mournful work of jazz triste. (Boola was an opera that Ellington intended to produce but he never got the backing – the music ended up in the suite Black Brown and Beige.)

Dance of the Wind and Sea by Vivian Chua. This is a duo for Cello and Piano. The programme notes says that the composer “was inspired by the syair, a Malay singing style, and joget, a lively Malay dance to express musically what might be a daily scene in the life of the traditional Malay fishermen as they headed out to sea”. It really is a lovely combination of styles. It might be me, but the second half does sound very American. Watch the YouTube clip below to see what I mean.

The second half began with Klezmer dance for solo clarinet performed by George Blakesley which was a real crowd pleaser with a hint of the Happy Birthday tune. The version on the playlist is a slight variation of this but you’ll get the gist.

My favourite piece of the night though was the World Premiere of Sinew by Graham Fitkin. This was the finale and combined the talents of all the Sound World Ensemble.

In the notes the composer says:

This piece is concerned with striving and endeavour, the sheer effort which goes into life and the resulting stresses, strains and distortions that accumulate. That pent up feeling, a body under torsion, things breaking down or struggling to break out, the repeated going over and over the same actions”

It was certainly demanding for the players. Special mention here to percussionist Harriet Riley who was involved throughout in what is a very quick paced piece with lots of modulations – it looked like a real mind bender to play but she did a great job. It was a perfect showcase for the entire group and was the composition I picked for the Listen Again slot (concert attendees get the chance to vote for the number they want to hear at the next concert).

When I went up to say thanks and well done to the performers and Soundworld’s Director Julian Leeks I was really disappointed to find out that this is their last concert until 30 June. It’s a real pity as what this organisation is trying to do (it’s strapline is Great music for everyone) is so important.

I would urge anyone reading this to sign up to the Sound World Music Club, to make a donation or become a Supporter, Benefactor or Champion! It’s very challenging to get the funding necessary to put these concerts on so please pay it forward so we can hear these fine, young musicians performing more often in Bristol. Even, if you’re not in Bristol you will get plenty out of the Sound World membership and be happy in the knowledge that you are supporting a truly good cause. Go on, you know you want to!

Picture credit: Sound World