David STAROBIN (guitar) New Dance
-18 dances for guitar (composed 1996-97)
Bridge 9084
51'03"
The New York guitarist David Starobin's recital at Wigmore Hall was
reviewed enthusiastically by
Seen&Heard in December. It included
a group of pieces from this collection, commissioned from "eighteen of our
composer friends" by the guitarist's wife, Becky, who also produced this
immaculate CD.
Several of the composers represented are famous, some others unknown to me;
Americans predominate. There is Shard, a squib from Eliott Carter
at 89, and a modernist Danci by Milton Babbit. From Denmark, Bent
Sorensen's Angelus Waltz, Per Norgard's tranquil Serenita and
Poul Ruders's slow Chaconne, a substantial addition to the contemporary
guitar repertoire (4'48"). England is represented by John Duarte's melodic
Valse en rondeau and Jonathan Harvey's evocative Sufi Dance
for microtonally detuned guitar, with extensive percussive effects. The aptly
titled final piece is Bryan Johanson's Open Up Your Ears.
The sequence mixes idioms carefully and makes for absorbing and entertaining
listening. Superlative, sensitive guitar playing by David Starobin; exemplary
studio recording. I cannot think that there would be many CD collectors who
will fail to be captivated by this individual and very personal initiative.
Enjoy!
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
