William Barton’s newest release is a work that he was commissioned to write by the Omega Ensemble, who perform it here alongside him. It’s also part of a performance by the Sydney Dance Company that just wrapped up in November this year and knowing that this had a dance component really helps to lend the music a muscular, physical edge.
Barton dedicates the piece Gift – Our Breath of Life to “to the memory of one’s breath, the first breath we take as we are born into this world, and the last taken”, and notes that here “each musician becomes the breath for one another, exchanging energy. As our earthly horizon arks to a peak in the sky we breathe – we breathe for the memory – we breathe for our loved ones”.
Back in 2022 I reviewed Barton’s Heartland album, a didge-and-violin set that I found rather aimless although there were bright spots throughout. I’m pleased to report that Gift – Our Breath of Life is much more of a return to form. Both Barton’s didge playing and his singing are powerful, and his writing for the Omega Ensemble has plenty of interesting textures and colours.
It’s a little hard to pick out specific points with a continuous 40-minute long piece but imagine this: Barton’s didge sits on a stuttering, circular groove, while winds and strings leap and rage around them. Then there’s also plenty of moments of quiet contemplation, or where Barton’s vocals soar above the ensemble. A real return to form.
Title: Gift – Our Breath of Life
Works: Works by William Barton
Performers: William Barton didg, Omega Ensemble
Label: ABC Classic ABCL0124D
Comments
Log in to start the conversation.