ENSEMBLE QTR
Ensemble QTR (Quarter-Tone Recorder) is a contemporary music group focusing on the
recorder. It presents new repertoire which uses quarter-tonality as a vibrant musical
language.
Ensemble QTR is dedicated to the development of microtonal compositions for the recorder
in the context of the chamber ensemble. It comprises some of today's most exciting
new-music players and without question offers the recorder its most interesting and
demanding challenge since the high Baroque.
Ensemble QTR:
Kathryn Bennetts - recorder
Peter Bowman - recorder
Damien Harron - percussion
Roger Heaton - clarinet
Sara Stowe - soprano
Barrie Webb - trombone
Clive Williamson - electronic keyboards/piano
Jos Zwaanenburg - flute
Donald Bousted - musical director
Our CD - A JOURNEY AMONG TRAVELLERS - pounds 6.99 (CD Short)
Obtainable from:
The Early Music Shop
38 Manningham Lane
Bradford
West Yorks. BD1 3EA
tel. 00 44 1274 393753
fax. 00 44 1274 393516
E-mail: sales@earlyms.demon.co.uk
Also available from:
Musiklädle
Neureuter Hauptstraße 316
D - 76149 Karlsruhe
GERMANY
Tel: 00 49 (0)721 707291
Fax: 00 49 (0)721 782357
Preis DM 18,00
CD Reviews:
"Brought out through the good graces of both the National Lottery and the British
Harry Partch Society Donald Bousted's cycle of microtonal pieces for recorders
is dedicated to the proposition that this humble woodwind is destined to become,
in the composer's own words, "a major protagonist in the music of the 21st Century". In close
collaboration with musicians Kathryn Bennetts and Peter Bowman, Bousted has created
a series of tiny masterpieces. The use of advanced fingering techniques, developed
between the three of them and available to the public in 'The Quarter-Tone Recorder Manual',
helps to open up the instruments expressive range considerably. Furthermore, this
has been achieved without sacrificing the plangent clarity of its original sound.
The resulting performances have a timeless quality, especially on 'Curve', where the playing
approaches the uncluttered intensity of pure sinewaves, and in the way Bennetts and
Bowman follow the clean lines of 'Melody', 'Double' and 'Still'. Taken together,
Bousted's recorder duos share a sturdy angularity which is only enhanced by their extreme
brevity. It would be reassuring to think that some small portion of the next millennium
had been set aside for them. Wonders on so modest a scale tend to be in short supply these days."
The Wire
"Bennetts and Bowman are a truly incredible pair on recorders the sounds are uncanny,
wild and a million miles from your expectations Bousted's music has great elegance,
wit and charm"
The Newsletter of the British Harry Partch Society
"Remarkable recorder music......made such an impression....really new and significant....breathtaking,
edge of seat atmosphere........totally gripping and convincing"
The American Recorder
"Bousted has attempted to develop a new "tonality" and sound world through a carefully
worked out quarter-tone system ... This work is an excellent addition to our contemporary
repertoire."
The Recorder Magazine
Recent Concerts
November 27th Barbican Centre, Silk Street, Barbican, London EC2
5.30 - 7.15pm Admission Free
Programme
My Own Step-Song Michael Wolters
A Journey Among Travellers Donald Bousted
A Valediction: of weeping Roderick Watkins
Puff Adder Maude Hodson
Also music by Rossé & Scelsi
FOR BROCHURE AND FULL PROGRAMME DETAILS SEND US AN E-MAIL:
peterbowman1@compuserve.com