Thomas Simaku’s new album of chamber music, con-ri-sonanza, released by the Swedish label BIS Records in November 2020, has captured the attention of the music press and radio stations alike. Performed by Quatuor Diotima and Joseph Houston, two works from this album were featured on French national radio, France Musique, which described Simaku’s music as ‘astonishing’, in a programme of contemporary music broadcast on 7 February 2021.
International acclaim for Thomas Simaku’s new album
10 February 2021The CD was also featured in programmes by the Portuguese national radio RTP and the American radio Ecclectus in Seattle in November and December 2020 respectively.
After two excellent reviews published recently in Germany and the UK (Das Klassik & Jazz and Gramophone), the French magazine Diapason has published a five-star review in its January issue. Critic Pierre Rigaudière writes:
‘The expressionism cultivated by Thomas Simaku in his string quartets stems more from an inclination for specific harmonic materials and textures rather than mere expressive hypersensitivity. The energy and tension of No 4 (2010-2011) recalls early Ligeti, and even more so Elliot Carter. Simaku perpetuates his signature slow introduction - fine sounds, static harmonies and a luminescent aura, which suit Diotima just as well as concentrated energy and rhythmic precision. Pizzicatos, glissandos, cascades of sounds and high-pitched whistles appear as reoccurring figures, while the surrounding chromaticism is resolved in the spectral release of a low ‘C’.
Our preference is admittedly for the most recent Quatuor no 5 (2015), which leaves even more space for interpretation. Quasi-immaterial (first Spaziale), very incisive bites (beginning of 2nd movement), a lyricism electrified by a crepuscular tension and chromatic swarms follow on from one another without losing momentum.
In his piano writing, the Albanian-British composer favours arabesques and long resonances, as seen in the solo pieces that Joseph Houston renders with great fluidity, without sacrificing the attack’s rebound or impact. In the quintet Con-ri-sonanza (2018), piano and strings seem to stare each other down, alternating, and mutually accompanying each other. At the moment of fusion, a spectral chord is once more indexed on the lowest string of the cello, bringing with it a much-awaited resolution.’
More news
23 April 2024
Review warmly recounts Late Music's 'Anthony Gilbert Celebration Concert'
22 April 2024
Excellent review of Nicholson’s ‘Spindrift’, performed by Madeleine Mitchell
22 April 2024
Lancaster's 'Canzone Sospesa' selected by Art Music Society of Washington for 2024-25 season
15 April 2024
Glowing Review for Sadie Harrison and 'The Frederick Septimus Kelly Project'
14 April 2024
Jo Kondo Becomes 55th Recipient of 'Suntory Music Award'
8 April 2024
Sadie Harrison’s PASTURE & STORM Featured in International Film Festivals
28 March 2024
Late Music York April concerts
14 March 2024
Weeks’ ‘Primo Libro’ released by Ekmeles, on New Focus Recordings
1 March 2024
Micklegate Singers Concert (23/03/24) to Feature First Performance of 'A Quaker Triology'
29 February 2024
Late Music York - March concerts
16 February 2024
Choir & Organ Magazine Features Robert Saxton and Jonathan Clinch
12 February 2024
DR Vocal Ensemble perform Saxton in Copenhagen and Aarhus