It’s a full-blown week at the Vale of Glamorgan Festival with events on every day, the scope spread out wide over venues. The excitement of hearing from John Luther Adams ahead of The Carducci Quartet, with Steph Power hosting, began this Friday evening event in Cardiff University Concert Hall. A worry over a poor internet connection for John lingered due to his remoteness – a choice made by him for decades, in the service of keeping his carbon footprint down.
Adams was cheerful, indeed delighted to talk about nature and his music: amazed at the fact he’s writing a 10th string quartet (his younger self would never have believed it) and wished he could have been with us in person. Almost 70, he is a hive of creativity – I guess this isolation thing really does work.
The Carducci Quartet followed in concert, starting with a European premiere of John Luther Adams’ Lines Made By Walking. Inspired by Adams’ exercise up and down mountains – the repeated notes came to the composer during one of these walks – the piece is simple in nature but touching. The response to it was mixed: one lady behind me was gently sobbing, another person said they “craved death” during it. Maybe it was the lack of variety that put some off, though it does possess a loveliness I’ve heard rarely in contemporary music. Adams’ gentle, wry approach to his scores is what makes him a fascinating figure.
They followed on with Huw Watkins’ Spring Quartet, in which some pleasing moments were met with boredom. Carducci play everything just so, and I wonder if I just can’t get my head around Huw’s canon. There are some decent attempts to conjure up the imagery of the seasons, though the style is formal, even with flashes of bravado. Gradual by Tarik O’Regan was listed as 20 minutes long, though felt much shorter and apparently comprises 30 very short sections. There was a sense of anticipation building, and the players again remained a thrill to watch for their syncopations. A surprising thrill to end this concert; no doubt more mischief will ensue.
Cardiff University Concert Hall, Fri 23 Sept
Vale Of Glamorgan Festival continues until Fri 30 Sept. Info: here
words and photos JAMES ELLIS
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