This CD can be purchased at: http://shop.brighouseandrastrickband.co.uk/
Whilst the contest pairing of Brighouse & Rastrick and Professor David King continues to bear competitive fruit, the duo also maintains a well earned reputation for engaging listeners with their eclectic choices of thought provoking concert repertoire.
This release carries that enjoyable musical approach into the recording studio, with a colourful mix and match selection that invariably hits the mark thanks to well drilled ensemble playing and a clutch of excellent soloists.
Bold adventure
There is no tenuously prescribed theme to the 11 tracks - just a well defined link of high quality, precise execution, tasteful musicality and a bold sense of adventure, led by the MD who draws some inspired playing from his troops.
The ensemble is sharp and neat, the measured balance adding to the musical transparency David King creates so expertly, whilst the soloists are allowed time and space to flourish thanks to sympathetic, understated accompaniment.
Much to enjoy
Much then to enjoy - with a vibrant, cleverly realised arrangement by Frode Rydland of 'El Camino Real: A Latin Fantasy' by Alfred Read to open, right through to the closing, powerhouse rendition of the title track, ‘Vita Destructa’ by 17 year old composer Todd Smith.
Philip Harper's 'In Love for Me' is tenderly treated, whilst Piazzolla's 'Chiquilin de Bachin' trips along with tertiary energy and sparkling solo contributions. However, despite Sparke's 'Elegy' from 'A Tale as Yet Untold' being beautifully controlled with wonderful pianissimo playing a real delight to the ear, the piece itself sounds a little out of place away from its original test piece setting.
Meanwhile, the MD’s wonderfully flowing somnambulant treatment of Eric Whitacre's 'Sleep' is simply delicious; subtle, hazy and atmospheric.
High class
The Brighouse stable of high class soloists are all on outstanding form: Lucy Cutt and Sheona White giving lyrically sensitive readings of ‘Love Unknown’ and ‘Aria’, Stuart Lingard, a refined elegance to Peter Meechan's 'Song' from his concerto, 'Milestone', and both Ryan Watkins on ‘Radio City’ and David Thornton with ‘Dick Tracy: The House of Shadows’ displaying controlled finesse.
Imposing authority
The release comes to a close with 'Vita Destructa', which takes its inspiration from the devastating earthquake that hit the New Zealand city of Christchurch in February 2011.
Todd Smith maturely embraces the interwoven themes, based around the well-known hymn, 'Abide with Me' to create a work that balances of caustic energy and heartfelt emotion - elements delivered with imposing authority by the band.
It also rounds off a recording that epitomises Brighouse’s confidence under their MD in bringing something new and interesting to listeners. Long may it continue.
Malcolm Wood
Track Listing:
1. El Camino Real: A Latin Fantasy (Reed arr. Frode Rydland)
2. In Love for Me (Jimmy Owens arr Philip Harper)
3. Aria (Philip Sparke)
Soloist: Sheona White
4. Chiquilin de Bachin (Piazolla arr. Reid Gilje)
5. Love Unknown (Ireland arr. Steve Robson)
Soloist: Lucy Cutt
6. Dick Tracy: The House of Shadows (Richard Rock)
Soloist: David Thornton
7. Elegy from A Tale as Yet Untold (Philip Sparke)
8. Song from Milestone (Peter Meechan)
Soloist: Stuart Lingard
9. Radio City (Peter Graham)
Soloist: Ryan Watkins
10. Sleep (Eric Whitacre arr. Sandy Smith)
11. Vita Destructa (Todd Smith)
