Anna Clyne
Shorthand
Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Avi Avital (mandolin), Pekka Kuusisto (violin) et al; The Knights/Eric Jacobsen
Sony Classical G010005317132W (digital) 60:12 mins
Clip: Anna Clyne – Shorthand
Anna Clyne has built up a formidable reputation over the past few years, attracting a fine line-up of soloists to perform on this album which covers over two decades of her string compositions.
Her style seems rather instinctive, often cinematic in scope, and takes inspiration from many sources, be it poetry, painting or other music.
The album is framed by Shorthand, a haunting piece for cello and strings. Yo-Yo Ma is miraculous in generating a mesmeric mood into a very simple idea which deliciously slides upwards, conveying a dreamy melancholy.
This forms a contrast to a sharply depicted klezmer-like theme, delivered with impressive rhythmic drive.
Three Sisters features mandolin soloist Avi Avital, the first piece opening with a wistful inflection inspired by the Orion constellation which subsequently merges into more turbulent invention.
The inspiration for Prince of Clouds comes from Baudelaire’s L’Albatross. It’s another evocative work in which you can almost feel yourself skirting the clouds – a haunting depiction of soaring, exquisitely characterised by violist Pekka Kuusisto and violinist Colin Jacobson.
Together they operate an antiphonal imitative wave of sounds, with piquant bittersweet harmonies yielding to more active and percussive material.
The most personal of the compositions is Within Her Arms written at the time Anna Clyne’s mother passed away. Both reflective and forlorn, the imitative parts seem to wrap themselves around the listener.
The Knights deliver the music with impeccable ensemble, and are perfect advocates of this music. Jo Talbot