Becalmed

The debut full-length release by Australian performer Sophie Hutchings, based on compositions written at the age the title of the first song, "Seventeen," indicates but recorded some time later, is a blend of solo piano pieces and quiet, irregular accompaniment by a variety of performers, creating something that, in sound and overall aesthetic, seems to be inspired as much by the ECM label as the artwork by Mark Gowing is. "Seventeen" itself moves from quiet contemplation to swift melodic overlays, a good setting of tone for the remainder of Becalmed. The additional instrumentation adds sometimes striking depth and atmosphere to the already moving compositions -- the blend of violin and cymbal washes on "Sunlight Zone," the solo violin on "Following Sea," and the dank guitar tones in a Glenn Branca style on "After Most." "Portrait of Haller," which moves from a quiet start to a suddenly triumphant ending, almost has the quality of a less echo-laden Dif Juz song, but more appropriate in feeling is the concluding "It Remains," soft rolling piano and distant drums setting aside a final, melancholic violin part, a lovely conclusion to a quietly accomplished first effort. ~ Ned Raggett

シドニー出身の女性ピアニスト/作曲家・Sophie Hutchingsのデビュー作はオ―ストラリアの注目レーベル【Preservation】より。ポスト・クラシカル的な流れに彼女の音楽も位置づけられるだろう。抒情性と、ポストロック的な律動を内包する感性はシガーロスのツアーに同行するなど、注目を集める新鋭Olafur Arnaldsのそれと共振するものがある。シンプルかつエレガントなピアノのフレーズを主軸に時に弦楽器を迎えて展開する彼女の世界は、非常に普遍的な美しさを湛えており是非多くの人に聴いて頂きたい。
intoxicate (C)池田敏弘