The bard celebrates two other fine practitioners of the art, and laments a lost brewer
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Album reviews with BEN LUNN
New releases from Stuart MacRae, Ailis Ni Riain and Explore Ensemble
This right-wing conspiracy theory is used to justify the coercive measures against gender, race and labour rights that best serve capitalism, attests GAVIN O’TOOLE
KENNY MONROSE recommends a new exhibition that highlights the significance of Black British music
ANGUS REID is bowled over by an exuberant film about the making of Keith Jarrett’s legendary concert
MARIA DUARTE, FIONA O’CONNOR and ANDY HEDGECOCK review Savage House, Enzo, Madfabulous, and Erupcja
CHRIS SEARLE recommends a work of love and deep admiration for a great musician
Stuart MacRae
Earth, Thy Cold is Keen
(Delphian)
★★★★★
THIS new release of works by Stuart MacRae is in short, a striking collection. The use of a wide variety of texts from Rossetti, Bronte, Alwynne Pritchard, the Poetic Edda, Gaelic and Middle English demonstrates his love and skill with text.
Similarly, the use of varying forces among the gathered quartet makes every work stand out and makes the album a wonderful journey.
What strikes me is the comparable qualities the album has with Holst’s songs for violin, where the modal inflections make some of the works seem like ancient, rediscovered relics.
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