Composer: Peter Maxwell Davies, David Fennessy, Donald Grant, James MacMillan, David Matthews, Melinda Maxwell, Cecilia McDowall, Alasdair Nicolson, Ailie Robertson, Aidan O’Rouke, Adrian Sutton, Judith Weir
Performer: Perpetuo
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Champs Hill Records
Catalogue: CHRCD154
Release: 2021
Size: 2.05 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
01. Robertson: The Black Pearl
02. O’Rouke: Canongate
03. Nicolson: The Insomniac’s Jig (or Ms Humphreys’ Lilt)
04. Fennessy: An Open Field (Come Closer, Come Closer)
05. Grant: Taladh
Weir: Airs from Another Planet
06. I. Strathspey & Reel
07. II. Traditional Air
08. III. Jig
09. IV. Bagpipe Air, with Drones
10. Sutton: Spring Masque
11. MacMillan: Untold
12. Davies: Midhouse Air
13. Matthews: A Song for Max
14. Maxwell: Pibroch
15. McDowall: Subject to the Weather
For its solo debut, Perpetuo ensemble presents Reels, Drones & Jigs inspired by the tumultuous weather and landscape of the British Isles. The pieces recorded here, several for the first time, flow from the land and the traditional music of those who survived or struggled because of it. There are laments and sad airs, jaunty dances and haunting echoes of the past from such composers as Judith Weir, James MacMillan, Peter Maxwell Davies, David Matthews and Aidan O’Rourke. Perpetuo founder James Turnbull comments: ‘At its heart this repertoire reflects the way in which composers have been inspired by traditions while breathing new life into the ideas they explore. Perpetuo works in much the same way. We love discovering new music and making it appealing and relevant to new and existing audiences.’