<<  -- 3 --  Gordon Rumson    A UNIQUE VOICE

Having said that the compositions are New Age in style, I do think it is necessary to qualify that, perhaps drastically.

Barnard is an extremely secure composer and study of his scores reveals that the works are carefully planned and based on coherent ideas. Themes recur, though sometimes the motif may be just a single chord, while subtle differences in statements of material require careful preparation.

In the 47 minute long Angelic Nocturne, a passage occurs where the durations of the same melodic idea are elongated by a tiny fraction of a beat. Almost imperceptible -- but one must pay attention.

Keith Barnard also makes use of the New Age echoing reverberation. Frequently the pedal of the piano is held down for many minutes. The result is not muddy, but fascinating as harmonics collide and interact in shivering fashion. This is music for a small acoustic space (the hall I will perform in seats but fifty souls) where the sound can almost be felt even at the softest dynamic level. Perhaps the analogy of scent is better: this is a kind of musical incense [listen -- 'A Tapestry of Sound'].

Keith Barnard's music is also deeply reflective and designed to 'quiet the mind and open it to divine influences'. (I believe John Cage used this phrase.) For people who listen with open ears, this will happen. Keith Barnard is a unique voice and his music is of the highest quality.