Season 2013–2014
Saturday 12 October 2013
Kemnay Church Centre
Saturday 23 November 2013
St Mary's Church, Inverurie
Saturday 15 March 2014
Acorn Centre, Inverurie
Friday 11 April 2014
Inverurie Town Hall
Links
Event Sponsors
|
Camerata Ritmata
Simon Thacker (guitar)
Paul Harrison (piano)
Mario Caribé (bass)
Stu Brown (drums & percussion)
Friday 11 April 2014
8pm
Inverurie Town Hall
(map)
Tickets £12.00, £9.00 (concession), £1.00 (children & full-time
students)
available at the door or from Morgan's Music Shop
Original listing
Review by Alistair Massey
In an eclectic musical journey that spanned medieval Spain, the Middle East, India
and Brazil, Simon Thacker's Ritmata injected exciting and compelling flavours into
their performance on Friday at Inverurie Town Hall. It featured Paul Harrison (piano),
Mario Caribé (bass) and Stu Brown (drums) as well as their leader Simon Thacker
(guitar), who has been rightly acclaimed for his work as composer and innovator
in bringing together international groups of musicians.
The concert began in contemplative style with Simon's compositions based on Spanish
religious music from the 13th century, some of the earliest Western manuscripts
in existence. This warmly evoked the vocal originals and was followed by an original
composition, For Justyna. It featured Mario Caribé on double bass,
who sensitively demonstrated its rarely-heard lyrical qualities. During the concert,
each instrument had the opportunity to shine alone. The Azerbaijani Bana Bana Gal
included a well-crafted drum solo. Stu Brown kept up the pace of this supercharged
piece; its impelling rhythms were a tour de force without traffic lights.
After an interlude of Thessalonican and Indian music, Pandora's box was opened when
the programme was finished off with the captivating but somewhat mischievous rhythms
of Brazil. Mario Caribé showed his deft and understated handling of the bass
in the ensemble's rendition of the cross-rhythms of his native country. Impelling
sambas were interspersed with choros, one arranged by Paul Harrison, who provided
us with a romp of technical brilliance.
As well as their individual virtuosity, the outstanding feature of Ritmata was their
work and musicality in shaping the pieces together. The variety was warmly appreciated
by an audience that was drawn from many musical backgrounds. Their style could be
lightly termed as jazz but only on one level of listening, as it is underpinned
with a wide awareness of style, including classical musicianship. Astoundingly precise
unison passages with piano, guitar and double bass were contrasted with a texture
where the piano provided the main harmonic punctuation and the rhythmic precision
had the audience on the edge of their seats.
In his fusion of classical traditions and world music with an improvised flavour,
Simon Thacker has provided us with music that is interesting, accessible and brilliant.
Simon Thacker's Ritmata will be appearing at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
This concert was Inverurie Music's last concert of the season. Keep up to date with
future concerts for the 2014–2015 Season on the website:
www.inveruriemusic.co.uk.
Photo by Alistair Massey
|
