James O'Callaghan

Alone & Unalone

Ravello, 2019

8/10

Listen to Alone & Unalone

The Canadian composer James O’Callaghan is no stranger to praise, and here he offers traditional instruments and ambient landscapes that bind together in very innovative and abstract configurations.

“Subject/Object” starts the listen with woodwinds, rhythm and strategic screeching as the tune manipulates silence with strong musicianship, and “On Notes To Selves” continues with flutes and voices that help produce an aberrant texturing of unorthodox sounds.

The back half offers us “AMONG AM A”, where noises and distant voices invade the ominous setting, and “Alone And Unalone” ends the affair with nature-esque sounds and violin skills amid a cinematic delivery.

O’Callaghan penned this installment for the Ensemble Paramirabo, and the outfit did justice to the tunes with mysterious intimacy and adventurous musicianship that few could replicate.

Travels well with: Sirius Quartet- Playing On The Edge; Patterns- Chamber Works