Composer: Barry Mills
Works: Summer Waves; Saxophone Sketches; Saxophone Quartet; The Wind and the Trees; Duo for Flute and Clarinet; Guitar Quartet; Trio for Flute, Viola, and Guitar; Harp Sketches; Trio for Flute, Viola, and Harp
Performers: Tony Sions (alto saxophone), Philip Edwards (B flat clarinet), Charlotte Munro (flute), The English Guitar Quartet, Alison Back (flute), Peter Sulski (viola), Paul Gregory (guitar), Hugh Webb (harp)
Recording: All Saints, Eastbourne, between 1993-1996
Label: CLAUDIO CC 5153-2 [71.31]
Barry Mills, a composer whose roots in the English musical landscape are both humble and profound, presents a captivating collection of works in “Summer Waves.” Born in 1949 and now balancing his life as a postman in Brighton with his compositional pursuits, Mills’s music reflects an imaginative engagement with nature. This recording, spanning several years of his output, showcases his ability to blend various instrumental textures, capturing the subtleties of the natural world with a refreshing vibrancy.
The performances across this disc merit close examination, as they reveal the nuanced character of Mills’s compositions. The opening “Saxophone Sketches” serves as an effective introduction to his style, where the alto saxophone’s timbre paints an aural picture of an autumnal landscape, complete with the delicate fluttering of leaves. The performers, particularly Sions, exhibit a commendable command of the instrument, deftly navigating the intricate pitch bends and dynamic shifts that Mills employs. In the “Saxophone Quartet,” the first movement, “Morning Song,” unfolds with a restrained lyrical quality, while the subsequent “Night Winds” layers ghostly sonorities, where the soprano saxophone emerges with ethereal presence. These interpretations not only highlight the coloristic potential of the saxophone but also reflect Mills’s capacity for creating atmospheric soundscapes.
Mills’s exploration of the clarinet in “The Wind and the Trees” is particularly noteworthy. Edwards’s performance demonstrates an adeptness in utilizing extended techniques, such as flutter-tonguing, that enhance the work’s textural complexity. The Duo for Flute and Clarinet further illustrates Mills’s keen ear for contrasting tonal colors, as both instruments engage in a dialogue that oscillates between harmony and dissonance. The clarity of articulation in the duo’s passages emphasizes the emotional subtleties of Mills’s writing, revealing a depth that invites repeated listening.
The Guitar Quartet emerges as a highlight of the disc, with its impressionistic qualities resonating deeply with Mills’s thematic focus on nature. The middle movement, “Moving with the Wind,” captivates with its plucked strings, creating a vivid imagery of gentle breezes, while “In Deep Night” concludes the work with a rich tapestry of thrummed sonorities that evoke a sense of introspection. The ensemble’s tight cohesion and well-defined dynamics bring forth the poignancy of Mills’s appreciation for the natural world, demonstrating a mature grasp of instrumental interplay.
Each trio, particularly the “Trio for Flute, Viola, and Guitar,” stands as a testament to Mills’s narrative gift. The viola writing is strikingly adventurous, traversing extremes of register to explore expressive depths without veering into clichés. The performers navigate these challenges with aplomb, showcasing technical skill and interpretive insight that enrich the overall experience.
Sound quality is commendable, capturing the delicate nuances of each instrumental voice, though the recording occasionally lacks the spatial depth that would enhance the ensemble’s resonance in a larger acoustic setting. Nonetheless, the engineering effectively preserves the clarity of intricate passages and the subtleties of dynamic contrasts.
Mills’s “Summer Waves” offers a rewarding listening experience that will resonate with both enthusiasts of contemporary classical music and those attuned to the natural world. The performances are not merely dedicated; they embody a sincere engagement with the music, making this disc a welcome addition to the catalog of modern English composers. The collection stands as a vivid reminder of how music can evoke the beauty of nature, leaving listeners with a lasting impression of both the artist’s vision and the performers’ artistry.
