Refracted Resonance – contemporary music for guitar
Sam Cave writes in the album notes: “For every note the guitar can play there are an infinite number of tone colors waiting to be coaxed from its body.” This is demonstrated very well in this collection of very new works, which extend the tone palette of the guitar in many ways, from the still, almost mantra-like Refracted Meditation III by the performer, to complex and thickly-textured works by Fox and Murail, two distinctive sonatas by George Holloway and the almost alien soundworld conjured up by Horaţiu Rădulescu in the only work which introduces electronics (taped sounds) alongside the pure acoustics of the guitar. The contrast between Cave’s sparse, single line interspersed with gentle chords, and Murail’s transfer of spectral cluster technique, is exceptional.
Sam Cave is quickly becoming established as one of the leading exponents of new music for guitar, with performances at leading venues around the UK and Europe. He has performed dozens of world premieres in the last decade as soloist and as a member of the Octandre Ensemble. As a composer, his works have been performed in eight countries by some of the most exciting soloists and ensembles of today. Sam plays a ‘super-concert’ guitar by Dutch luthier Jerome Hilhorst.
Track Listing
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Tristan Murail (b.1947):
- Tellur (10:05) George Holloway (b. 1983):
- Guitar Sonata (8:32) Christopher Fox (b.1955):
- Chile George Holloway (b.1983):
- Second Guitar Sonata (8:33) Horaţiu Rădulescu:
- Subconscious Wave, Op. 58 Sam Cave (b. 1987):
- Refracted Meditations III
Reviews
“A rather magical disc in which classical guitarist and composer Sam Cave presents music by five contemporary composers that takes the guitar to some evocative and aethereal places. There is a wonderful ear for timbre here as well as the magical harmonies and harmonics, but perhaps Cave’s greatest achievement is to make this complex and technically challenging music seem remarkably free and natural.
” —Robert Hugill
“Sam Cave plays with excellent concentration and a sense of honesty and respect. He urges you to listen with open senses and reveals a rich world of musical being, far from the main roads of mainstream culture. He affirms the guitar’s position as an instrument capable of reaching beyond its romantic associations and becoming a medium for great, groundbreaking art. This CD is great sounding and has the power to naturally deliver the abstract beauty of this music.
” —Ange Turell
“[Cave’s] playing convinces me that all of these works are worthy of repeated attention. Refracted Resonance is not predictable… all of the music here is challenging, not just for the performer but for also the listener. The documentation that accompanies this release is exemplary, as is the engineering.
”
“[A] challenging but infinitely rewarding disc. Eloquence seems to be the very heart of this release… highly atmospheric, electrically virtuosic, and utterly compelling. Fascinating, stimulating fare, beautifully performed and recorded.
” —Colin Clarke
“Refracted Resonance by Sam Cave is a daring and beautiful exploration of new soundscapes on the modern guitar. From intimate and spacious mediations to virtuosic contrasts, Cave creates new worlds of sound in focused and thoughtful performances of new music and pinnacle modern works.
” —Bradford Werner
