1 1

Thomas Simaku - Thomas Simaku: Solo [CD]

Thomas Simaku - Thomas Simaku: Solo [CD]

£16.98
£16.98
Sale Sold out
Brand New From Reputable UK Company With 30 Years Experience In Retail, Please Note Not All Our New Items Are Shrink Wrapped.
All items shipped within 3 working days of payment.
Please note that all our DVDs are Region 2.


Please note that not all audio CDs are shrink-wrapped fom the factory.


Since Thomas Simaku (b.1958) began composing his cycle of Soliloquys in 1998, the series has grown to encompass every instrumental family of the orchestra. The objective of these works is to delve into and examine the expressive and technical characteristics of each instrument, producing highly virtuosic, idiosynchratic music.

\r
\r
Solo, Simaku's fourth full-length album and first album release on NMC, showcases some of the composer's most recent solo works, each one reaching a depth of expression beyond what seems possible with a single instrument. Simaku's music has been praised for its 'depth of expression, and powerful imagination' (British Composer Award), and his unique blend of lyricism and complex modernity can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the composer's life; when he moved from the restrictive, highly-censored Stalinist Albania of his upbringing, to the UK in 1991. His studies with David Blake at the University of York (where he is now a Professor of Composition himself) were an awakening for the composer, as he was immersed in the music of modernist pioneers such as Ligeti, Kurtag, and Boulez. In the years since, Simaku's free exploration of these ideas has led him to carving out a 'breathtakingly original' compositional voice (Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik), which has won him numerous prestigious awards.\r
\r

The opening track, Soliloquy VII for clarinet and resonant piano, hears the piece's dedicatee, clarinetist Jerome Comte, displaying the unparalleled versatility and dynamic range of his instrument, the 'vocal' qualities of its sound enhanced by the resonant chamber of the piano into which he plays. Catena II, performed by pianist Dimitri Vassilakis, is a journey into the spiralling colours, gestures and dynamics possible on the piano, in six distinct movements that Simaku conceptualises of as a 'chain'. Percussionist Aurelien Gignoux brings to life Soliloquy VIII for marimba plus, in which Simaku aimed to 'treat the marimba as if it were an orchestra with a huge range of colours and a number of individual lines constantly interacting with one another.' In his composition of the delicate muted sections, menacing pitch bending, and bell-like resonances of Soliloquy IX for trumpet and resonant piano, Simaku conceived of the trumpet as part of a 'resonating canvas', brought to life by soloist Clement Saunier. The album is concluded by Catena III - Corona, Simaku's personal reflection on the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, heard here in tumultuous syncopated figures and gloomy, lyrical moments.\r
\r

'Comte's performance is astounding, exploding into paroxysms at either end of the clarinet's register, then retreating and gently wooing us with barely-there tremolando.' - Gramophone\r
\r

'These works from the last four years are played by their dedicatees, who completely inhabit the music, technically and musically [...] a powerful musical imagination shines throughout the album.' - BBC Music Magazine

\r
\r

'The album is a joy to listen to [...] We recommend this album to all audiences, but especially to parents and teachers alike whose passion is to instill a love of music in children. Be sure to inform grade schoolers that other grade schoolers helped to write this music; they may then be inspired to write and play music of their own.' - A Closer Listen

\r
\r

'Thomas Simaku has a highly individual musical voice and his sensitive, inventive scores command attention and repay repeated hearings. Superbly recorded and produced, this NMC release is heartily recommended.' \x96 Musical Opinion

Soliloquy VII for clarinet and resonant piano

Catena II: I. Con ampio spazio

Catena II: II. Giocoso

Catena II: III. Lento assai

Catena II: IV. Con grazia

Catena II: V. Impetuoso

Catena II: VI. Solenne, scorrevole, spaziale-liberamente, scorrevole, solenne-ben sostenuto

Soliloquy VIII

Soliloquy IX for trumpet and resonant piano

Catena III - Corona

View full details
Description
Please Note Not All Our New Items Are Shrink Wrapped.All items shipped within 3 working days of payment.Since Thomas Simaku (b.1958) began composing his cycle of Soliloquys in 1998, the series has grown to encompass every instrumental family of the orchestra. The objective of these works is to delve into and examine the expressive and technical characteristics of each instrument, producing highly virtuosic, idiosynchratic music.

rrSolo, Simaku's fourth full-length album and first album release on NMC, showcases some of the composer's most recent solo works, each one reaching a depth of expression beyond what seems possible with a single instrument. Simaku's music has been praised for its 'depth of expression, and powerful imagination' (British Composer Award), and his unique blend of lyricism and complex modernity can be traced back to a pivotal moment in the composer's life; when he moved from the restrictive, highly-censored Stalinist Albania of his upbringing, to the UK in 1991. His studies with David Blake at the University of York (where he is now a Professor of Composition himself) were an awakening for the composer, as he was immersed in the music of modernist pioneers such as Ligeti, Kurtag, and Boulez. In the years since, Simaku's free exploration of these ideas has led him to carving out a 'breathtakingly original' compositional voice (Neue Zeitschrift fur Musik), which has won him numerous prestigious awards.rr

The opening track, Soliloquy VII for clarinet and resonant piano, hears the piece's dedicatee, clarinetist Jerome Comte, displaying the unparalleled versatility and dynamic range of his instrument, the 'vocal' qualities of its sound enhanced by the resonant chamber of the piano into which he plays. Catena II, performed by pianist Dimitri Vassilakis, is a journey into the spiralling colours, gestures and dynamics possible on the piano, in six distinct movements that Simaku conceptualises of as a 'chain'. Percussionist Aurelien Gignoux brings to life Soliloquy VIII for marimba plus, in which Simaku aimed to 'treat the marimba as if it were an orchestra with a huge range of colours and a number of individual lines constantly interacting with one another.' In his composition of the delicate muted sections, menacing pitch bending, and bell-like resonances of Soliloquy IX for trumpet and resonant piano, Simaku conceived of the trumpet as part of a 'resonating canvas', brought to life by soloist Clement Saunier. The album is concluded by Catena III - Corona, Simaku's personal reflection on the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, heard here in tumultuous syncopated figures and gloomy, lyrical moments.rr

'Comte's performance is astounding, exploding into paroxysms at either end of the clarinet's register, then retreating and gently wooing us with barely-there tremolando.' - Gramophonerr

'These works from the last four years are played by their dedicatees, who completely inhabit the music, technically and musically [...] a powerful musical imagination shines throughout the album.' - BBC Music Magazine

rr

'The album is a joy to listen to [...] We recommend this album to all audiences, but especially to parents and teachers alike whose passion is to instill a love of music in children. Be sure to inform grade schoolers that other grade schoolers helped to write this music; they may then be inspired to write and play music of their own.' - A Closer Listen

rr

'Thomas Simaku has a highly individual musical voice and his sensitive, inventive scores command attention and repay repeated hearings. Superbly recorded and produced, this NMC release is heartily recommended.' x96 Musical Opinion

Soliloquy VII for clarinet and resonant piano

Catena II: I. Con ampio spazio

Catena II: II. Giocoso

Catena II: III. Lento assai

Catena II: IV. Con grazia

Catena II: V. Impetuoso

Catena II: VI. Solenne, scorrevole, spaziale-liberamente, scorrevole, solenne-ben sostenuto

Soliloquy VIII

Soliloquy IX for trumpet and resonant piano

Catena III - Corona

Track Listing

Soliloquy VII for clarinet and resonant piano

Catena II: I. Con ampio spazio

Catena II: II. Giocoso

Catena II: III. Lento assai

Catena II: IV. Con grazia

Catena II: V. Impetuoso

Catena II: VI. Solenne, scorrevole, spaziale-liberamente, scorrevole, solenne-ben sostenuto

Soliloquy VIII

Soliloquy IX for trumpet and resonant piano

Catena III - Corona

Details
  • Genre: Classical
  • Product Type: AUDIO CD
  • Barcode: 5023363027809
Delivery and Returns
Dispatch Information: Dispatch times vary by item and items are only dispatched on UK working days – not weekends or UK Bank Holidays. Items marked "Dispatched Same Day" will be dispatched on the day of purchase if bought before 2pm GMT. "Dispatched Same Day" items bought after 2pm GMT or on a non-working day will be dispatched on the next working day. We aim to dispatch all other items within 3-5 working days.

Delivery Information: We aim to deliver your order as quickly and efficiently as possible. All UK orders are dispatched using Royal Mail 48 Tracked service and the standard delivery times are 2-3 business days. Please note that delivery times for overseas orders will vary depending on your location and the shipping option you choose during checkout.

Shipping Costs: We offer free delivery on all UK orders and free worldwide delivery on orders over £15.

Tracking Your Order: All UK orders are tracked. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number via email. You can use this tracking number to monitor the progress of your delivery on the Royal Mail Track and Trace website.

Returns and Exchanges: We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If for any reason you are not happy with your order, you may return it within 28 days of the item being dispatched for a refund or exchange. Please note the following guidelines:
- Items must be returned in their original condition and packaging – items that have been opened or had shrink wrap removed are not eligible for return or refund.
- Make sure to include your order number in the returned package.

How to Initiate a Return: To initiate a return or exchange, please contact our customer service team. The team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the process.

Refund Processing: Refunds will be processed as soon as we receive your item back into our warehouse. Replacements are subject to availability and if a replacement is not available, a refund will be issued.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team or check out our FAQ’s. We're here to help ensure your shopping experience is enjoyable and hassle-free. Thank you for choosing Chalkys!