Release Date: 19 May 2017
This album showcases five works by past Rambert Fellows. Gavin Higgins' Atomic Cafe performed by the Rambert Orchestra explores the horror of nuclear Armageddon and is inspired by an 1982 public information film which gave practical, yet in all likelihood quite useless, advice on surviving a nuclear attack. The starting point for Mark Bowden's piano trio Airs No Oceans Keep was Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘I Think that the Root of the Wind is Water’. Exploring the theme of oceanic weather, the piece blends airy sounds, melodic flurries and sudden crashes. Cheryl Frances-Hoad's The Madness Industry for brass quintet was inspired by Jon Ronson’s best-selling book The Psychopath Test. She mimics psychopathic characteristics with frequent changes of time signature, violent outbursts, and a relentless pace. Quinta (stage name of composer Katherine Mann) is a frequent collaborator with Radiohead's Philip Selway. Her otherworldly piece Themistocles is Captured is in three short movements and is performed by the composer on violin, electronics and a Magnetic Resonator Piano (an acoustic piano with a series of electro-magnets set along its strings). Also on this album, fresh from her debut full-length album on NMC, is Kate Whitley's Duo for Violin and Viola, written for a choreography inspired by a sculpture called 'Wrestlers' by Henri Gaudier Brzeska.
Rambert Orchestra
Paul Hoskins conductor
Fidelio Trio
Onyx Brass
Eloisa-Fleur Thom violin
Asher Zaccardelli viola
Quinta musical saw
AUDIO
REVIEWS
'Haunting electronica ... an ambitiously expansive piano trio ... [and] a succinct piece played by Onyx Brass with perfectly balanced wit and melancholy' The Guardian ★★★★
'Another NMC treat' Gramophone
'Showcases the incredible diversity of music written for dance ... compelling' BBC Radio 3 'Record Review'
FUNDERS
NMC would like to thank Paul Hoskins and all at Rambert Dance Company for their assistance in the making of this album.
RECORDING CREDITS
The Madness Industry and Atomic Café were recorded 13-14 June 2016 at All Saints, East Finchley, London. Duo for Violin and Viola was recorded 20 April 2016 at All Saints, Tooting London. Airs No Oceans Keep was recorded 19 February 2015 at Menuhin Hall, Yehudi Menuhin School, Cobham, Surrey.
Recording Engineer & Producer: DAVID LEFEBER
Digital Editing: SUSANNE STANZELEIT
Thermistocles Is Captured was recorded during August 2016 at the Centre for Digital Music, Queen Mary University of London (MRP) and in Quinta's home studio.
Recording Engineer & Producer: QUINTA
(P) 2017 NMC Recordings Ltd
© 2017 NMC Recordings Ltd
Catalogue number: NMC D232
Release Date: 19 May 2017