Music For Strings –Fergus Currie ***** (5 stars)

by Alexandros Harkiolakis for

These days, especially in the arts, complexity rules and simplicity is retreating. Many times, this results in music and art in general digressing from it’s original aim and works end up existing just for the sake of existing and offering nothing to the listener in the case of music. The present recording of works by composer and bassist Fergus Currie, who currently lives and works here in Greece, shows us a path, which many have abandoned: that of clean, melodic lines. The two works on this CD are for string orchestra and the titles ‘Serenade for Strings’ and ‘Sinfonietta’ are not out of place since they return the listener to a more melodic past. However, this music makes no concessions, in fact exactly the opposite. The tonal centers are powerful and there are no notes that sound as if the just popped out of nowhere. A point of interest is the way that the composer constructs his themes. With an obvious sense of tradition but full of fresh ideas, Currie creates imaginative musical themes, which strengthen and nurture with characteristic ease and quality. Of course I should not fail to mention that one of the best orchestras in the UK, the London Chamber Orchestra and conductor Christopher Warren-Green play an important role in the realization of this CD producing a clear and transparent tone. Certainly the luxury of working with musicians of such caliber counts towards the final result.