Avenue A Ensemble is a contemporary music group which was formed
in 1999 to commission and perform new works. It includes several
composers in its line-up and has an instrumental combination including
saxophones, violin, trumpet, keyboards, percussion and guitars.
This delivers a more jazz-based sound than the usual classical
ensemble. The group includes several top-notch performers and
the overall sound has its own electrifying identity.
Artistic Director Tim Adnitt’s opening track ff
is a unison line, which instantly brought to mind the music
of Frank Zappa and Django Bates. This is short but convincing
and serves as an excellent introduction to Avenue A Ensemble’s
sound.
Robert Broadley’s Big End is a somewhat
longer work. It begins with a strong rhythmic groove, which
transports us into a sleazy jazz club atmosphere. Solos from
individual instruments emerge and the music gradually brings
in elements of contemporary art music, while retaining the obvious
influence of jazz and a hint of film music. This is an extraordinary
piece which has massive appeal; Broadley takes different musical
styles and fuses them to create something entirely new and instantly
likeable. Here is a composer with considerable talent given
free rein to work with some excellent musicians, and the result
is impressive.
Schumann in Three Pieces is a set of
works by Matthew King which are more laid-back and romantic
in style than the previous items on the disc. Quotes from and
allusions to Robert Schumann’s music infiltrate these pieces
in a pleasing fusion of old and new. The first of these pieces,
Ash on the Ground features sustained melodic lines against
a rhythmic background. Love in a Life features the soprano
voice of Clare Pressland in an expressive slower-paced movement.
This is rich and sumptuous, with some spine-tingling moments.
Night Phantoms & Rocking Horses opens with slow moving
chords, which build up tension before the drum kit entry. The
music gives way to tantalizing rhythms, before a complete change
of character into an almost cartoon-like melody. Almost before
we are aware of it, the mood changes again. The Schumann quotes
again pervade this sectional work, which is cleverly constructed
and brilliantly played.
The final track on the disc is City by Andrew
McBirnie, which returns to the mood of the opening tracks. Strongly
rhythmic, the music makes use of unison lines and bursts of
sound in an energetic depiction of metropolitan life. The music
hints, in places, at organized chaos, as the lines flow independently
of each other, and then come together to further develop unity
of purpose. This is very different in style from other works
of McBirnie’s that I have heard - and performed - but no less
convincing.
This is an excellent disc of works which showcase
some exciting compositional talents. The works are all given
superb performances by this inspiring ensemble and production
standards are also very high. One word sums up the whole package:
quality.
Carla Rees
