Features and Formations
In celebration of Gwyn Pritchard’s 75th birthday, Métier releases Features and Formations: a fascinating insight into Pritchard’s process. This is contemporary, seemingly mercurial, work, rich in structure. Starting from pre-compositional planning and techniques, the composer subtly evolves rhythm and pitch to create a sound-world that manifests great atmosphere and intensity.
Features and Formations includes five of Gwyn Pritchard’s ensemble works (a quintet, two quartets and a trio) and three pieces for solo piano, all performed by the distinguished Swiss contemporary music group Ensemble ö! conducted by Francesc Prat, and the piano solos by their pianist Asia Ahmetjanova.
All works on this album are receiving their world premiere recording.
Track Listing
- Realms Apart (10:55) Ensemble ö!
- Calling (7:54) Asia Ahmetjanova
- Features and Formations (11:28) Ensemble ö!
- From Time to Time (6:51)Asia Ahmetjanova
- Nightfall (11:49)Ensemble ö!
- Res (4:56)Ensemble ö!
- Evolution (5:10) Ensemble ö!
- Tide (9:09)Asia Ahmetjanova
Gwyn Pritchard (b.1948):
Reviews
“Pritchard combines planning and spontaneity quite beautifully…different groupings of instruments…form this fantastic ensemble, showcasing the technical and lyrical extremes that these instruments are capable of.
” —Lara Mitofsky-Neuss
“The exclamation point, part of the group’s name (Ensemble ö!), fits well with its handling of Pritchard’s music, which has an exclamatory feeling about it…that gives every work an underlying (if not overt) feeling of intensity. The audience…will find this collection of Pritchard’s piano and chamber works a worthwhile exploration.
” —Mark J. Estren
“The musicians are specialists in this type of music – they would have to be – and present the music as far more than just notes. Their endeavours are beautifully captured by the engineers.
” —Paul RW Jackson
