|
Ketil Bjørnstad : piano / David Darling : cello Titles: Epigraph, Theme and Variations / Upland / Wakening / Pavane / Fantasia / The Guest / After Celan / Song for TKJD / Silent Dream / The Lake / Gothic / Le jour s'endort / Factus Est Repente Bjørnstad/Darling's first duet album "The River" was a great success in 1997, and I'm sure that ' Epigraphs' will be equally unforgettable." A classical pianist at first, Ketil Bjørnstad changed directions after hearing "In a Silent Way" in the1960's. Bjørnstad and David Darling have in common a background in classical music. Darling studied with the virtuoso cellist and Bach specialist Janos Starker, while Bjørnstad made his concert debut in 1969 with the Oslo Philharmonic. His sparce style showcases his original compositions to fine effect. Cellist David Darling is at home in a variety of musical settings and his melodic sensibility shines through admirably on this album. In this duo setting Bjørnstad and Darling's carefully refined music is full of improvisational expression. Bjørnstad and Darling create a restrained and delicate sound, utilizing motifs from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical eras. In the context of "Epigraphs", the frame of reference for the Norwegian pianist and the American cellist is the music of the Renaissance. Darling and Bjørnstad play arrangements of pieces by William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, Guillaume Dufay, and Gregor Aichinger as well as compositions of their own, inspired by these old masters. The result is an adventurous and mesmerizing work for Bjørnstad's piano and David Darling's cello. Together, they create extremely attractive, subtle, often slowly-moving music of great clarity where subtle textures and layered voices reveal an intimate dialogue created by the interaction between these two gifted musicians. Much of what the listener hears is a sublime melody from one instrument, delicately shaded by the other. "Epigraphs" features performances of exceptional subtlety, whether shaped spontaneously in the moment, pre-formulated by cellist or pianist, or freely based upon music of the renaissance, an inspirational source for both musicians. "Epigraphs" is music for deep contemplation... extremely interesting and ambitious. Review by Ben Kettlewell information:
|
|
 BACK TO REVIEW DIRECTORY |
|
This site is copyrighted AMP ®© 1997-2010. Alternate Music Press. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication and distribution of copyrighted material violates Federal Law. |
Ketil Bjørnstad /
David Darling
