Editorial Reviews

This first release in the London Sinfonietta's Jerwood Series of new music recordings includes orchestral pieces by Tansy Davies of Britain and Stuart MacRae of Scotland from the early stages of their careers. Davies offers this succinct description of her neon: "neon consists of boxes. Each box contains a pattern or groove: some are bright and shiny, others dark and grimy. All the boxes can be fitted together; the patterns are built to interact with each other in numerous ways. This is just one way of putting the boxes together." The piece uses some of the sonorities of commercial dance music, and the repetition of gestural fragments of minimalism, but without the predictability of either. This attractive piece is melodically quirky in a fun way and is driven by strong rhythmic energy that's irregular enough to keep it constantly intriguing. Stuart MacRae's trumpet concerto, "Interact," is more conventional and less engaging. After a promisingly energetic opening, the music remains interesting on an intellectual level, but offers few hooks to draw the listener into its uncompromisingly abstract and fragmented world. The London Sinfonietta gives performances of great conviction and energy. David Porcelijn conducts the Davies and H.K. Gruber the MacRae. The live recording has some audience noise, but generally the sound is clear and lively. Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

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