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Written in Folk Roots issue 85, 1990


ARCHETYPE
Archetype
Escalibur CD 831 (1990)

Archetype is a fiddle orchestra. Neither a formal string ensemble with rigid arrangements nor a bunch of fiddlers all playing the tune, it features six fiddles, cello and double bass and is led by Jacky Molard of Breton band Gwerz. Material is mainly Brittany-centred, both traditional and recent, including compositions by band members, but there are a couple of Romanian tunes, a set picked up in Irish sessions, and Andy Statman's Flatbush Waltz.
      Some of the Breton material has strong similarities to so-called English music, and the string arrangements evoke thoughts of Vaughan Williams, Grainger et al. All of it is very strong, full of rhythmic and tonal possibilities, with the energy of excellent independently-thinking musicians co-operating in subtle and complex arrangement without losing their individual voices.
      Strangely enough, the work of such tradition-influenced musicians is showing signs of matching up with a developing direction amongst some classical musicians who, in accepting the need for heart, beauty and greater spontaneity in their music, are finding sudden wide enthusiasm for what they do - Nigel Kennedy's treatment of The Four Seasons is an obvious example. Musicians and audience from both sides of the decaying fence would do well to listen to this album for encouragement.

 
© 1990 Andrew Cronshaw
 

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