Arthur BENJAMIN (1893-1960) Five Negro Spirituals for cello and piano (1929) Violin Sonatina (1925) Pastoral Fantasy (1923) Viola Sonata (1942)Three Violin Pieces (1921-5) A Tune and Variations for Little People (1939)
Performers: Locrian Ensemble
Record Label: DUTTON Epoch
Catalogue Number: CDLX 7110
Recording Dates: 8-10 January 2001
Location: Snape Maltings
Duration: 76.48
Comprehensively exploring the work of Australian-British composer Arthur Benjamin, the Locrian Ensemble’s recording presents an engaging and comprehensive cross-section of Benjamin’s varied chamber music. Rooted in Romantic traditions but laced with elements of jazz and folk, Benjamin’s five Negro Spirituals for cello and piano resonate with surprising vitality even today.
The interplay between cello and piano in the Spirituals is a testament to Benjamin’s fluid compositional style, concurrently carrying echoes of plantation songs while being firmly ensconced in the concert tradition. The Violin Sonatina offers another dimension to the composer’s sonic versatility, with thematic motifs moving through the movements that demonstrate Benjamin’s command of melodic development.
Pastoral Fantasy, a piece for string quartet, draws us into Benjamin’s impressionistic side. The work unfolds like a pastoral tableau, with Benjamin’s light brush strokes painting the bucolic simplicity of country life, presumably influenced by his time in Suffolk.
Viola Sonata, dating from the wartime year of 1942, and Three Violin Pieces, written between 1921-1925, are additional examples of Benjamin’s oeuvre that spotlight his command over varied string instruments. The Violin pieces showcase his unique melodic language, punctuated by rhythmic irregularities.
The CD concludes with the lighter A Tune and Variations for Little People, a charming composition, likely influenced by his work as a children’s song composer. Despite its title, the complexity of variations should not be dismissed as merely childish, exhibiting Benjamin’s weaving melodic and harmonic structure.
The Locrian Ensemble performs with sensitivity and astute awareness of Benjamin’s unique style, marking an appropriate balance between the dramatic and the subtle, the lively and the introspective. The recording quality is commendable, capturing the nuances of Benjamin’s intricate scores without any compromise.
In this tribute to Benjamin, what comes forward is a vibrant portrait of a composer capable of infusing traditional forms with distinctive colours, not hesitant to experiment. The CD serves as a fascinating document of Benjamin’s stylistic spectrum, extending an invitation to the listener to delve into his often-underexplored musical world. In sum, a noteworthy exploration for those intrigued by the unique bridging of traditional structures and fresh soundscapes.
