Mathematical Rather Than Musical

An interesting disk of contemporary English classical music ( well, relatively contemporary since the pieces on the disk were written between 1990 and 2000 ) It is a disk of pieces by Julian Anderson titled Alhambra Fantasy and is performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta both conducted by the Godfather of the English contemporary scene Oliver Knussen. In his booklet notes, Anderson talks of wanting to relate to the voice and to use "le grande ligne" approach espoused by Nadia Boulanger and to rehabilitate melody and mode. He also speaks of studying the traditional musics of Eastern Europe and Indonesia. I found that it takes repeated listening for such concerns and themes to emerge. There is much use made of percussion, almost a given in the contemporary scene and perhaps showing gamelan influences as well as current pop styles such as house music. The titles given to the pieces suggest programmatic music but buried deep. Khorovod has eastern European folk musics underpinning rhythms but not coming to the fore overtly in terms of melody. The title track shows more affinity with the mathematical structure and architecture of the Alhambra than with any Spanish or moorish musical feel. Anderson continues to benefit from being composer in residence on the South Bank but I notice that some of these works are being programmed in the current season. While it is good to see contemporary pieces having a life beyond their premiere, I wonder what direction his new work has taken.