Release Date: 18 September 2015
Label: NMC Recordings
Packaging Type: Brilliant Case (Jewel Case size, Holds 2 CDs)
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 5023363021029
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: Anthology
Description
When Martland died unexpectedly two years ago the outpouring of love and respect from composers, pupils and industry colleagues was immense. He was frequently labelled an anti-establishment maverick (something those close to him would dispute) but there was no doubt he was an individual and an iconoclastic composer, performer and teacher. His refusal to conform to the composer stereotype led him down a pioneering path; he was one of the first to embrace the importance of music education in schools and he surrounded himself with like-minded musicians, set up his own band and toured his music widely.
Martland's music is rooted in the minimalist style and often amplified with propulsive, infectious rhythms more common in jazz and rock. Instrumentation including saxophones, electric guitars, bass, marimba and drum kits give his music a distinctive, edgy timbre, as in Beat the Retreat and Horses of Instruction, but this anthology demonstrates his music could also be distinctly contrasting and poignantly beautiful. Patrol, written for traditional string quartet, is influenced by Scottish folk fiddling, medieval music and the work of Henry Purcell. He explores music from the past again in orchestral piece Crossing the Border, his response to Bach's Chaconne in D minor.
This album shows Martland to be an important voice of his generation of composers and should encourage many new fans to his work.
Tracklisting
Martin Iddon, Quiet Music Ensemble, Jack Adler-McKean
Clare O'Connell
Martyn Brabbins, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers
Martyn Brabbins, Daniel Pioro, Anna Dennis, Andrew Gourlay, Elena Schwarz
Freya Waley-Cohen, Manchester Collective, Heloise Werner, Katie Bray, Fleur Barron, Tamsin Waley-Co
Slide Action
Siwan Rhys
BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Singers, Alice Farnham
Marianne Beate Kielland, Nils Anders Mortensen
Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria, Coro Lirico Siciliano, Filippo Arlia, Francesco Costa
Michele Campanella & Monica Leone
Erich Leinsdorf; Wiener Philharmoniker; Cesare Siepi; Fernando Corena; Leontyne Price; Birgit Nilss
Ensemble Castor
Alessandro Deljavan
Martin Iddon, Quiet Music Ensemble, Jack Adler-McKean
Eva Maria Doroszkowska
