DONNA MCKEVITT (Music) and DEREK JARMAN (Poetry)
Countertenor: Michael Chance, Contralto: Donna McKevitt, Mezzo Soprano: Melanie Pappenheim, Viola: Catherine Manson, Soprano: Kelly McCusker, Cello: Caroline Dale
Translucence is a cycle of twelve poetry settings punctuated by five instrumental interludes, and is scored for the highly unusual combination of three female voices (Soprano, mezzo and contralto), counter tenor, viola and cello. With a maturity far beyond her years at the time of composition (she was still in her early twenties) Donna McKevitt’s music mirrors Jarman’s poignant journey through the memories and emotions of Jarman’s last years.
“McKevitt’s intimate and sensitive settings deftly capture the essence of Jarman’s words and images. The spare textures are beautifully realised and McKevitt skilfully blends varied influences into a coherent whole. A moving evocation of love and loss”
Barry Witherden Classic CD *****
A record contract was quickly found (highly unusual for any composer’s Opus 1), review copies were sent out, extraordinary critical endorsements flowed in and everything seemed set for the album’s triumphant public release in late 1998. There was a sting in the tail however and as a result of problems with Jarman’s estate the record had to be withdrawn before release and all remaining copies destroyed. Despite building a cult reputation in music circles from the review copies that escaped destruction, the record remained unobtainable until its welcome release on Dharma Records in 2004, with a memorable concert to launch the album at Tate Britain.
1 What if the present were the world last night
2 Translucence
3 Nature
4 Dance against the void
5 I sit here immobile
6 Prelude to Sebastiane
7 Sebastiane
8 Sweet Wisdom
9 I am a mannish muff diving size queen
10 Gravity
11 Adam and Eve and Punch-Me-Not
12 Impatient youths of the sun
13 The System
14 No dragons will spring from these circles
15 February
16 Prelude
17 I walk in this garden
The album is inspired by the love and saviour of the same piano he played on as a child. When his own kids grew up he didn’t have room for it, so he sold it. He later saw an advert in the paper selling that exact piano, so he bought it back.
Playing on this piano again, Frans has revisited his childhood years and his love of creating simple and beautiful piano melodies whilst incorporating his extraordinary musical journey to date. Taken from the album is Frans’ new single Parting; a beautifully bittersweet slice of ambience that is filled with harmonically gorgeous interplays between the piano and stunning string quartet throughout. Talking about the single, Frans elaborates, “Parting is about saying goodbye to your loved ones. It was written as a song for a play for The Royal Danish Theatre - being sung at a funeral. The cellist Live Johannson and I have enjoyed playing together a couple of times - so I decided to make a special arrangement for this album.” Throughout the album Frans takes the listener on an undeniably immersive listening experience, constantly pushing boundaries and creating unique soundscapes in order to completely mesmerise with the help of his intricate storytelling charm.
Frans Bak played piano throughout his childhood, immersing himself totally in the melodies that he created, where he found solace. He later graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Music and formed a number of bands, experimenting with music, fusing together his classical training with different genres, sounds and modern technologies, and in doing so, has carved out a unique sound through his own compositions. Today, Frans continues to work as a highly accomplished
composer, with over thirty years experience scoring for the film, TV and advertising industries, receiving international critical acclaim for his compositions for Nordic, French, American and British TV series including Disparue, Doctor Foster and Lilyhammer. A pioneer of the Nordic Noir genre, his captivating music for The Killing is widely acclaimed, setting new musical standards for crime TV and inspiring other composers to apply the ‘Nordic feel’.
1 . Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Borrowed White (2.41)
2. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - From The Past (3.10)
3. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - No Way Back (3.03)
4. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Big Boat (3.28)
5. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Nathan's Gone (1.43)
6. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Martha's Little Theme (1.50)
7. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Valmir (3.55)
8. Frans Bak - Little Ship (3.01)
9. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Alva (2.37)
10. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - At The Parking Lot 3.36)
11. Frans Bak, Morten Zeuthen - Deciding (2.26)
12. Frans Bak, Peter Pejtsik, Budapest Art Orchestra - Structure of Power (3.57)
FRANS BAK
I was in the Faroe Islands in 2021 meeting up with local film composers - and playing a concert with a local string quartet.
It was a special concert for me - we played a lot of my film music, but I had also chosen some chorales and hymns – and I enjoyed so much playing these with them - it felt like we had a connection - all the time in the world - and was able to give presence to the moment, and let the music speak for itself.
After the concert we talked about playing more together. The Faroese musician - Teitur - attended the concert. He encouraged us to follow up on this, and we talked about adding him to the project - as a playful element.
When I came back to Denmark, I couldn’t get this experience out of my head and started composing new music for this constellation – and found some songs I had composed earlier. I re-composed and re-arranged these for the quartet and me - and added electronics and soundscapes.
Luckily, Teitur and the quartet kept their interest in this - so I went back to the Faroe Islands and recorded the new music with the quartet - and Teitur became producer of the album. We worked in Studio Bloch - and in Teitur’s studio, and I ended up coming back several times and fell in love with the Faroe Islands.
So finally - here it is: “Atlantic Hymns” - A Danish composer and pianist with an acoustic string quartet from the Faroe Islands - playing hymns with a playful element.
Hope you enjoy listening.
CAROLINE DALE