Collected Dreams

Adam Frey and Damon Denton
Euphonium Enterprises Inc: EE-03
Total Playing Time: 51.25 mins

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In the immortal words of Monty Python: "…and now for something completely different!" In recent years, a number of instrumentalists, and euphonium players in particular, have produced recordings with a variety of accompaniments. There have been brass bands, symphony orchestras, wind orchestras, pianos, harp, cornet ensembles and some may have encountered Robin Taylor's Metaeuphosis, which used electronics very effectively.

In his latest recording, entitled Collected Dreams, Adam Frey and keyboard player Damon Denton have deliberately set out to produce something very far from the traditional euphonium solo cd. The disc consists of arrangements for euphonium and various keyboard synthesizers of a number of folk tunes and classical items. Multi-tracking has been used extensively, with one to five euphonium parts and two to five keyboard parts being used. The recording has a very "new age" feel to it, and the overall impression is very similar to the relaxation tapes that are now available, and indeed are quite popular with some people.

Most items have been given a through-composed setting from which the melody emerges, and Adam Frey has ample opportunity to demonstrate excellent smooth playing, with long legato lines predominating. It would appear that the microphones were placed very close to the performers, as there are occasions when the valve action can be clearly heard. Various settings have been used on the synthesizers, sometimes producing the sound of piano, harp or bells, but most often simply providing a wash of sound, with pronounced reverberation at times making one question the pitch focus.

The recording is not predominantly aimed at the traditional brass band audience, and no doubt there will be those who would wish for a more varied programme, and a vehicle that would display a wider range of Mr Frey's undoubted talents. I personally found the items that I related best to were those with a more distinct pulse, where there seemed to be a closer interaction between the two performers. I also felt more comfortable with the folk songs and hymn tunes than with the classical items, particularly The Swan, where I was constantly missing the original setting. For me, the most enjoyable pieces were Danny Boy, which opens the cd, Shenendoah, where the accompaniment provides a rippling feel reminiscent of the river's flow, and Shall We Gather At The River, where the dignified pulse and reflective nature of the setting reminded me of the epilogue to a film about the early pioneers in the Wild West.

Both the performers are established artists in their own right. Adam, from Atlanta in Georgia, obtained his Masters degree at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1999. Whilst studying there, he played with Point of Ayr, including participating in their third place at the 1998 European Championship, and the making of the cd Family Portrait. He is prominent as a clinician and lecturer in the United States, and gave the American premiere of the Cosma Concerto for Euphonium. Damon Denton studied at the Julliard School of Music, and his recording credits include a performance of the Shostakovich Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings. They have also produced the recording, which is attractively presented, the absence of sleeve-notes being part of the concept, to allow the listener to discover the music as they go along.

To sum up, no doubt there will be those whose reaction is similar to that of seeing a dog on a unicycle: not so much wonder at the performance but wondering that it was done at all. It will certainly not appeal to everyone and, for all its undoubted qualities, I am not going to be playing it constantly. Having said that, if this style of recording appeals to you, and if you like the sort of albums Karl Jenkins has produced in recent years - Adiemus etc - then it may be well worth exploring, and the quality of slow melody playing is definitely very high. My wife, whose musical tastes are quite different to mine, came acrosss me listening to the review copy and is looking forward to hearing it properly. The disc only runs for just over 50 minutes, which some mey feel is short, although it is not necessarily a recording that you would want to listen to straight through anyway.

Peter Bale

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