On Beholding a Rainbow

Modern classical pieces by the English composer Anthony Gilbert. Some tone rows, mostly post-romantic with a wide variety of influences, from Schostakovich to Webern. Rather academic sounding. Rec. 11. 10 , 5 in that order. Also the first minute of 3, which to me is unintentionally hilarious. Hey Orges, want to really shock your listeners?

1) Flute, clarinet, french horn, bassoon, etc. Dense and nervous, like the instruments are quarreling.
2) Wind instruments and later strings. “Heroic” mezzo soprano.
3) Post-modern Wagner. The orchestra swoops around the soprano like bats. She responds like you’d expect. Quiets down 1:40 in.
4) Quiet and eerie start, but gets riled later on.
5) Pretty opening, with bells and muted trumpet. Pretty, and a bit creepy. Rec.
6) Thick orchestration, meandering mezzo solo.
7) Open with brass, leads into spare, modern contrapuntal murk.
8) Woodwinds. Jerky, irritable, funny.
9) Meandering muddled woodwinds. Gets agitated towards the end.
10) Solo violin with orchestra. Distant and nervous.
11) Slower, more mysterious. Rec.
12) Creeping oboe answered by violin, gets twitchy.

Alex