Ned Bigham: Culebra

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Tunefully ambient mood-pieces depicting Scottish locations, mixed with tasteful ballad arrangements for a smaller ensemble. Warmly sympathetic performances. — BBC Music Magazine, November 2014, 3 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 23rd Jun 2014
Catalogue No: ARUNACD001
Label: Aruna Records
Length: 55 minutes

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Bigham: Culebra, Pt. 1 (IMRM)

Work length4:26

$1.00

$1.40

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Gregory Rose

Bigham: An Caisteal

Work length4:18

$1.00

$1.40

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Gregory Rose

Bigham: Glenfinglas

Work length5:14

$1.00

$1.40

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Gregory Rose

Bigham: The Auld Hoose

Work length5:00

$1.00

$1.40

Scottish Ensemble

Bigham: Sail Mhor

Work length6:16

$1.00

$1.40

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Gregory Rose

Bigham: Caller Herrin'

Work length4:23

$1.00

$1.40

Scottish Ensemble

Bigham: Portsonachan

Work length6:13

$1.00

$1.40

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Gregory Rose

Bigham: Will He No Come Back Again

Work length3:24

$1.00

$1.40

Scottish Ensemble

Bigham: The 100 Pipers

Work length3:52

$1.00

$1.40

Scottish Ensemble

Bigham: The Rowan Tree

Work length3:16

$1.00

$1.40

Scottish Ensemble

Bigham: Culebra, Pt. 2

Work length9:06

$1.50

$2.10

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Gregory Rose

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Music in search of stillness amongst the bustle of the 21st Century - Aruna Records presents ‘Culebra’, composer Ned Bigham’s moving collection of orchestral miniatures and ballads inspired by the British landscape, from the tranquillity of the Sussex Downs to the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands.

With the album ‘Culebra’ Ned Bigham proves himself a composer of raRe subtlety, and much of his music has a meditative, reflective quality. Influenced by composers as diverse as Vaughan Williams, Holst, Delius, Ravel, Mahler, Bryars, Part and Messiaen, ‘Culebra’ is a very personal body of work that reflects Ned’s ruminations on location and family, distant memories and history finding continuity in the present. The album is bookended by the two parts of the title piece, performed by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Composed just before the death of his father, they are dedicated to him. Following this sad event, Ned left London and returned to rural Sussex in order to maintain the family estate, a move which fostered a newfound appreciation of landscape and nature, and inspired the epic, ambient texture of these movements. Also featured on the album is the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s stellar performance of the composer’s collection of orchestral miniatures inspired by the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands, ‘An Caisteal’, ‘Glenfinglas’, ‘Sail Mhor’ and ‘Portsonachan’. Both orchestras are conducted by the acclaimed Gregory Rose, Music Director of the Jupiter Orchestra, Jupiter Singers, Singcircle and CoMA London Ensemble. The third part of this world premiere recording comprises ‘The Nairne Ballads’, five rhapsodies performed by the dazzling strings of the Scottish Ensemble. Commissioned by Creative Scotland in 2010, Bigham's inspired re-imaginings of Jacobite songs, including the famous ‘Bonnie Charlie (Will ye no come back again)’, were first performed by the Ensemble in that same year as part of Points of Departure - new music from Scotland in Glasgow's Centre for Contemporary Art. Subsequent performances have included The Crear Arts Centre in Argyll. Their original author, Ned’s ancestor Lady Nairne, came from a Jacobite family who sheltered Bonnie Prince Charlie in their home.

‘Culebra’ is a luscious sonic experience, a portrait of a singular voice in contemporary composition.

Reviews

November 2014

Tunefully ambient mood-pieces depicting Scottish locations, mixed with tasteful ballad arrangements for a smaller ensemble. Warmly sympathetic performances.

September 2014

[Bigham] eschews serialism and dissonant modernity, although he does not shirk moments of dissonance. Yet his natural melodic writing immediately communicates and frequently moves the listener.

Ned Bigham: Culebra

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