Magnus Granberg — Evening Star, Vesper Bell
Evening Star, Vesper Bell is a new fifty-four-minute work from Stockholm-based composer Magnus Granberg. The work was specially written for the highly respected modern ensemble the Apartment House. It’s a slowly unfurling, skeletal —yet tonally/ texturally detailed work, which is rather akin to staring up at a star-dotted night sky- making out shape and pattern, as well as breathing in the moody & glum chilled atmosphere of the night itself. With once again Granberg showing his skill for sonically sitting in a wholly distinctive sonic place between modern chamber music & gentle improvision.
The work was recorded in Goldsmith Music Studio in November 2022. With the players been: Bridget Carey- Viola, Heather Roche- Clarinet, Anton Lukoszevieze- Cello, Chihiro Ono- Violin, Simon Limbrick- Percussion & Vibraphone with finally composer Granberg on prepared piano. The work comes in at fifty-four minutes and ten seconds- been presented here as a single track.
The work sort of slowly glides or cautiously shambles into sonic view. With lulling vibes, key and percussive strikes, hovering in a haze of gentle ‘n’ slowly sawing, whining, and simmering string work. Each instrument has its own place & point in the piece- with them jointly all building the things whole skeletal -yet- tonally detailed structure. It all feels constantly on the edge of sudden taking off from its slow drifting and hovering lull- yet it never fully does.
Over replays & time the listener starts to notice certain details and patterns- be they a clipped drone, the joining lines of sweep ‘n’ chime, very subdued- but- grimly stately hovers, or hints at fragile melody. Evening Star, Vesper Bell is very much a work you have to slowly but surely sink into, and let it take you along at its own lulling and slowly darting pace. Yes, there are moments of subtle wonder & light glimmering charm- but like much of Granberg's work- it seems more about the journey & small events along said journey- than any grand overriding theme or structure. Yes, there is a shape and structure here, with a start & a finishing-but to try & break it down into its parts/ moments rather defeats the point of the whole thing.
From the opening seconds of Evening Star, Vesper Bell, you know you are in a Granberg composition. And really with each new work the Swede solidifies his decidedly unique way of working & presenting his sound. It’s certainly wonderful to hear the composer working with the Apartment House, and each player fully understands what the composer wants & needs. I certainly hope they work together again down the line again.