Search - Olivier Manchon :: Orchestre de Chambre Miniature, Vol. 1

Good Music

Tanuki Shady | Dark Side of the Moon | 03/06/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Olivier Manchon's Orchestre de Chambre Miniature is a collection of eight short instrumental pieces, none longer than seven minutes, comprising an equal mixture of three genres: classical, jazz, and pop. The superb ensemble consists of clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, cello, bass and, on one track, a classy, soulful harmonica. There are no drums here.



Tonal and melodic, the six compositions of Manchon recall the stylistic predilections evident in his work with Clare and the Reasons for whom his arrangements can be heard enlivening the songs on that pop group's The Movie and Arrow CDs. The works suggest an affinity to programmatic musical gestures that would work perfectly as film underscore, but stand as complete and satisfying musical pieces on their own. Their mood is generally light, interspersed with moments of suspense, reflection, melancholy, and skillful jazz improvisation. There's a natural and intelligent musicality that flows from the classically-trained violinist/composer's hand that never devolves into chaos or intellectual excess, but maintains tasteful reserve and emotive congruity. If it's true that there are only two kinds of music--"good and bad"--then this is the good kind.



One piece, "The Hanged Man", by fellow ensemble member and cellist, Christopher Hoffman, adds a slight contrast with it's own twist of imitative counterpoint, slightly extended instrumental technique, and dissonance, while fitting the overall style of the CD perfectly.



Unexpectedly perhaps, the inclusion of an arrangement of Jean Sibelius' Valse Triste, while the product of widely-regarded canonical musical genius, does not in any way show up the other music as being inferior, but rather joins, and concludes, the CD with a style very much coherent and consistent with the whole. If you enjoy the lighter side of Sibelius, you will certainly enjoy this collection of charming pieces. Did I say "charming"? Well, there you have it."

Finally, real music

Music lover | UK | 04/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This record is a lesson to all people who call themselves composers. These are real compositions that will last forever. Olivier's sense of harmony and melody are what give this record legs to stand on. I can't recommend this enough!!!"