Anderson: Alhambra Fantasy [CD]

I wrote a review, a few months back of the most recent Thomas Ades recording, "Tevot", and I note that this seems to have been read rather more than any of my other reviews. That suggests, regardless of whether his music is liked, many are keen to learn about the progress of England's "leading composer". I wonder how many will read this review about a composer of the same generation, whose work until recently, had not been recorded? Well it's fairly pointless to start a debate about who is the best but Julian Anderson's work is certainly highly accomplished.

This album, issued by Ondine, was closely followed by an even better one from NMC. That is not to criticise this issue; Ondine has a great track record with contemporary music. Both recordings are generously filled, unusual for contemporary music.

This disc includes five shortish works; none longer than twenty minutes. These are his earliest published orchestral works. As a group they have much in common. A good starting point for listeners would be early Stravinsky - the music from The Rite of Spring and Song of the Nightingale. The music is harmonically rich but incisively orchestrated; rhythmically complex with much of the music built up from short melodic cells. The works tend to become more harmonically complex as they develop. The music is, therefore, basically tonal but challengingly so at times - what is often described as "post serial" or "new tonality"; whatever that means!

The earliest work on the disc is "Diptych", not surprisingly in two movements. The second is like a mirror of the first and works, despite the movement descriptive titles, like a small symphony or sinfonietta. It's an impressive debut piece.

The title work, "Alhambra Fantasy" was inspired by the abstract pattern work of the Alhambra but doesn't attempt to evoke anything specifically Spanish in its language. The music hints at the water falls and fountains but is essentially a colourful abstract work.

"The Stations of the Sun" is effectively a Four Seasons work that takes its start point the festivals for different seasons - you might say, like Ives' Holiday's Symphony. That's where the similarities between the two end. This is a very cohesive work which combines reflective and mysterious passages with dance like music.

"Khorovod" or Round Dance was inspired by Russian round dances and, perhaps more explicitly than the other works on this disc, indulges in the use of East European melodic and rhythmic patterns. Anderson's work reflects a long interest in the music of Eastern Europe, particularly the folk music of Russia, Romania, Ukraine and Lithuania as well as an admiration for the work of Bela Bartok.

"The Crazed Moon" is a more personal work, reflecting on the death of another young composing colleague. This is music of mourning that, like the other works, becomes more harmonically complex as it progresses.

All five works are immediately attractive. The scoring is brightly coloured and Ondine's recording, perhaps is a tad too bright: this music doesn't need any help. I believe that this recording won a Gramophone Award as best recording of contemporary music. This is definitely a five star recording but, if you haven't already, I strongly recommend that you try the NMC recording of his music too - it is astounding and a great follow up to these earlier pieces.