Igor STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)
The Rite of Spring
(1913)
David Patrick Octet (David Patrick (piano); Sam Coombes (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Diljeet Bhachu (alto flute, piccolo); Brian Molley (B
flat clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Calum Robertson (E flat clarinet, B flat clarinet, bass clarinet); Tom MacNiven
(trumpet, flügelhorn); John Kenny (alto trombone, tenor trombone, bass trombone); Andrew Robb (contrabass); Ole Seimetz (drums)
rec. Castlesound Studios, August 2104 to March 2015 [50:36]
It’s now over one hundred years since this seminal work made its first appearance in Paris on 29 May 1913. Puccini called it "the creation of a madman" and
it still has the ability to shock. I expected this CD to be a slimmed-down octet version of the original score recorded by a group of classical musicians
but that assumption was made out of self-confessed ignorance. After a few bars it suddenly dawned on me that what we have here is an accomplished jazz
group playing their own interpretation, based broadly on the original but with many highly skilled improvisations along the way. The basic framework of the
piece remains intact but the improvisations expand the piece to a length of 50 minutes. It never outstays its welcome. This version is the brainchild of
Scottish pianist David Patrick and he is to be congratulated on an absorbing and thrilling piece of work. The use of a drum kit and all those jazzy
inflections and twists along the way make the music really come to life. Jazz really isn’t usually my idea of fun but this is simply terrific.
David Patrick leads an octet of highly accomplished musicians and his piano playing and the clear, precise percussion work are the backbone of the
performance. There isn’t the same visceral impact that a hundred piece orchestra brings to the table when it pulls out all the stops but there is superb
inner detail and an obvious love of the music comes across with great emotional impact. The textures are reminiscent of some of Stravinsky’s own chamber
works - I wonder if David Patrick listened to them before setting out on this project. As mentioned in the booklet notes, he was certainly painstaking in
listening to The Rite in some detail before he set about constructing his own version. That is patently obvious from listening to the finished
result. It’s quite remarkable how much of the original shines through with these slimmed down forces. OK, maybe the otherworldly atmosphere of the Introduction to Part Two isn’t really captured and the final cataclysmic ferocity of the Sacrificial Dance is missing but everything else
is convincingly done and Mr Patrick’s orchestration is quite marvellous. The writing for his excellent wind soloists is especially attractive.
The performance is captured in forward, exciting sound. This is a CD that, quite frankly, I didn’t expect to enjoy. I have to hold my hands up and say that
I was totally wrong. I can also wholeheartedly recommend it without reservation or hesitation to anyone who enjoys this masterpiece. The whole thing is a
real breath of fresh air. I think Stravinsky himself would have approved.
John Whitmore
CD Reviews
BIRNAM 8099214370
