As the name suggests "Quietude" is all about peace and relaxation, in sharp contrast to Alastair Penman's previous album "Soar" which was more focussed on virtuosity. About half of the works are from the Classical repertoire, and arranged by Penman mostly for the combination of keyboard and single reed instrument (including various members of the sax and clarinet families). The rest of the album consists of similarly scored works composed by the artist himself. Penman's introduction to the album spells out his thinking behind the album, as an antedote to the current state of the world with numerous wars and threats which can seem overwhelming at times. In musical terms the album aims to demonstrate that there is such a thing as peace, and that it is a thing worth pursuing. So don't forget to find time to relax, to think about good things, to gather your strength and support one another as we struggle to make sense of the world and to seek peace. Accordingly the tracks vary in mood from sad, pensive and reflective, to relaxed, positive and hopeful.
"Rialto" is a good introductory track, its 6 alto saxophones setting the scene with a sequence of chords followed by a background of arpeggios allowing a thoughtful melody to muse gently. "Be Still" then foreshadows the Gymnopédies to come with its accompaniment on electric piano with subtly burbling effects. A soprano sax rises and falls with a free-flowing melodic line, sometimes slow and steady and then with moments of activity. The three Gymnopédies themselves translate this accompaniment to a piano, while the familiar melodies are carried by a Soprano Sax. As with most interpretations of these popular Satie works, the mood is reflective and questioning and a touch melancholy. "After the Fire" has a folk-like clarinet melody soaring over a simple accompaniment grounded by a bass clarinet and keyboard. The whole album is lyrical, but Debussy's "Beau Soir" is more so, since it was originally a song, here arranged for alto sax with piano accompaniment. It's a different perspective on the prevailing mood, but fits perfectly with its neighbouring tracks.
"Homeward" starts off with a piano playing an Einaudi-style rippling ostinato, before a lively sax presents a free-flowing melodic line. When the piano stops the sax indulges in what can only be described as a solo cadenza-like sequence of flourishes, before the track returns to the opening feel and a final flourish brings everything to a stop. "Quietude" is the track which gives the album its name, but like the concept of Yin and Yang (and John Cage) you can't have pure quiet without some noise. "Lament" is an interesting track whose harmony reminds us of John Williams in his wholesome Americana guise. I wonder if the track's name was inspired by traditional bagpipe laments, since the deep notes provide an ongoing reedy drone to a sincere melody. Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words fit musically and emotionally into this concept album, consisting of both melody and accompaniment, originally on a single piano but readily allowing the two to be separted in arrangements. Both tracks are peaceful yet with an underlying passion.
Humperdinck's "Evening Prayer" with its wonderfully solid 4-part harmony sounds hymn-like at first, yet morphs into something more folk-like before rising in dramatic purpose - short yet powerful and enigmatic. Bruckner's "Locus Iste" is also hymn-like initially, the 4 parts blending the sonic qualities of saxophones and clarinets. While the texture is much thinner than in the composer's Symphonies, Penman's playing can still suggest Bruckner's "Cathedrals of Sound". In many ways the final track "A Prayer for Peace" is the crux of the whole album. It wears its heart on its sleeve and rails against a nonsensical world. It is a cry for help, a cry of anguish, a cry for peace.
On the album Penman is credited with Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophones, Bb, A and Bass Clarinets, Piano, Keyboards and Midi Programming. It all points to a broad range of talents, a meticulous attention to detail and a very personal endeavour, but it is a project that reaches out and touches us all. See the artist's own website at alastairpenman.co.uk/quietude for more details, streaming and ordering details. The sheet music is also available at alastairpenman.co.uk/compositions.
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