James Clarke is a contemporary composer whose name and music I first heard at the Barbican's Arditti 40th birthday bash in April. His 3rd string quartet was premiered that day and recorded for the Hear and Now episodes of these concerts. I have to say it was the most approachable music in the two sessions I attended and the only piece which stirred me.
I find the connection in comparisons helpful at times and, to my ears, some of James Clarke's music has the kind of sharpness and fizz I enjoy in a piece like James Dillon's The Soadie Waste.
If you haven't encountered the music, there is a significant catalogue on his Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/james-clarke-01 The Piano Trio is particularly enjoyable https://soundcloud.com/james-clarke-01/piano-trio.
A brand new piece "2014-Q" has been added in the last few days, a commission and premiere by the Atlas Ensemble in the Netherlands only a fortnight ago https://soundcloud.com/james-clarke-01/2014-q
I find the connection in comparisons helpful at times and, to my ears, some of James Clarke's music has the kind of sharpness and fizz I enjoy in a piece like James Dillon's The Soadie Waste.
If you haven't encountered the music, there is a significant catalogue on his Soundcloud page: https://soundcloud.com/james-clarke-01 The Piano Trio is particularly enjoyable https://soundcloud.com/james-clarke-01/piano-trio.
A brand new piece "2014-Q" has been added in the last few days, a commission and premiere by the Atlas Ensemble in the Netherlands only a fortnight ago https://soundcloud.com/james-clarke-01/2014-q
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