Peter SEABOURNE (b.1960)
STEPS - volume 2
Studies of Invention - Book 1 [16:47]
Studies of Invention - Book 2 [15:36]
Studies of Invention - Book 3 [21:36]
Giovanni Santini (piano)
rec. Studio l'Eremo, Lessona, Piedmont, Italy, 26-27 August 2012. DDD
SHEVA COLLECTION SH065 [54:03]
Despite the title, this is the first volume of English composer Peter Seabourne's
music to appear on the Italian Sheva label. 'STEPS' in fact
refers to Seabourne's own anthology project, of which, according to
his own website, there are four volumes
to date. This is by all accounts the first to become available on CD.
Seabourne writes in his ample notes that "...my art is a lyrical one.
I don't much care that this is seen as unfashionable, or some kind
of stab in the back to modernism." His biography further states that
he "stands apart from much in new music, following his own path."
In fact, Seabourne, like many critics of contemporary art music, seriously
under-estimates the quantity of composers who have always favoured lyricism
and tradition over vanguardism. Even in the post-war heyday of experimental
modernism, there were plenty who preferred to write music appealing to audiences
rather than academic cliques. It is only in the 21st century that their works
- like Seabourne's - are finally being recorded and disseminated.
The three Books that make up the punningly titled Studies of Invention
- pieces inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's fertile mind - consist of
five movements apiece, lasting somewhere between three and five minutes each.
The composer intends them as a complete cycle, though allows for them to be
played separately. They are amazingly inventive, especially with regard to
rhythm, and sitting through all three in a single session is a far from onerous
activity. Despite Seabourne's professed inclinations, however, none
of these suites is a straightforwardly tuneful listen. Titles such as Flying
Machines, Study of a Woman's Hand, Polishing Imperfections
in Glass and The Impossibility of Perpetual Motion give some
indication of the detail and filigree to be expected. The harmonic colourings
and drive of these works call to mind someone like Prokofiev, and do not suffer
by comparison: the Studies of Invention deserve a wide audience.
The relatively unknown Italian pianist Giovanni Santini gives a terrifically
virtuosic performance of this frequently devilish music, one that comes with
Seabourne's approval. Audio quality is pretty good, although the piano
can hardly be said to sing out. The English-Italian booklet is tidy and informative.
Santini's biography, written in slightly shaky English, is of the CV
variety that tries hard to impress with a list of names that will mean very
little to most readers. Seabourne is airborne on the CD cover - his photo
of Leonardo's famous aeroplane design.
Byzantion
Collected reviews and contact at artmusicreviews.co.uk
Amazingly inventive.
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