Frank DENYER
“Whispers”

“Whispers” (2010) Frank Denyer (voice & ancillary instruments), Elisabeth Smalt (offstage violin). “Woman with Jinashi Shakuhachi” (2008) Kiku Day (shakuhachi, voice, small percussion). “Riverine Delusions” (2007) The Barton Workshop – Jos Zwaanenburg (bass flute), John Anderson (bass clarinet), James Fulkerson (bass trombone), Marieke Keser (muted violin), Anne Magda de Geus (muted cello), Jamie Swale (bass drum), Frank Denyer (percussion). “Two Voices with Axe” (2008) Frank Denyer & Juliet Fraser (voices), Jos Zwaanenburg (flute), Benjamin Gilmore (muted violin), Elisabeth Smalt (muted viola), Dario Calderone (muted double bass), Pepe Garcia Rodriguez (percussion), Bob Gilmore (axe), Jamie Man (conductor). “A Woman Singing” (2009) Juliet Fraser (voice).
“The experience of listening to Frank Denyer’s music is extraordinary, quite distinct from other aspects of our contemporary musical lives. His music manifests an exquisite sensitivity to sound, often unusual or fragile sounds; his compositions are more concerned with what can be heard than with an interest in systems, or drama, or “ideas”. And while these sounds sometimes seem to embody a covert narrative of sorts, as though a story is hiding, waiting to be told, any such narratives are never made explicit. This leaves the listener free to concentrate on the highly original melodic lines, the harmonies and the unique tone colours of Denyer’s work, while speculating, if desired, about possible scenarios that may lie behind. This disc, the eighth devoted entirely to his music, collects three solo and two ensemble pieces, and forms a portrait of his recent work, from the years 2007-10.” Bob Gilmore