Athenaeum Winds - ones to watch

Composed of five students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, it is safe to say that Athenaeum Winds have had a lot going on recently. They have performed as part of the Cultural Olympics, played several concerts with the RCS and have represented the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. Now in the second year of their residency program with Enterprise Music Scotland you will no doubt hear and see a lot more of them during their upcoming tour of Scotland.

I haven't encountered a wind ensemble yet, pre-expectations are that there will be a light and airy quality to the sounds that they produce and that there will be quite and energetic speed to the chosen pieces. Lets see.....

Athenaeum have chosen to begin with Gyorgy Ligeti's Six Bagatelles, having listened, this seems to translate as six short excerpts. Variety seems key with this particular piece. Beginning with quite a sharp sounding sense of urgency the piece evolves to evoke an almost threatening tone. As a listener I felt a sense of suspense, awaiting the next instalment, almost like the frustrating cliffhanger in your favourite soap. The suspense leads to a pleasant raindrop like sound with a definite lightness that I had pre-empted prior to listening. I'm taken by surprise to hear an off-beat springiness which doesn't seem to follow on from the rest of the piece, it almost seems to belong to a different time and sounds quite South American. The end of the piece absorbs a certain depth with a dramatic edginess, again rousing tension which seems an unusual way to close this chapter.

Beginning as a light and pretty piece, with a delicate elegance, Maurice Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin, soon takes on a jazzy characteristics full of texture and layers. There are different faces to the small segmental components of this piece, really exhibiting the versatility of the players. Ravel takes us from the uplifting sounds of future promise to slow, sultry calm. Tombeau de Couperin finishes with a jumpy, excitable tone, demonstrating the diverse nature of this piece.

Mississippi Five by Jim Parker is definitely my favourite. As a tap dancer I seriously wanted to stand up and shuffle away, someone will have to hold me back at the performance. This is pure 1920s jazz. I felt drawn to investigate and discovered that Parker, who writes many film and TV scores, is one of these sought after 'living composers' who I have heard mentioned from time to time in the chamber music world. This will provide an interesting mix into the equation of what is to be a well-rounded repertoire.

Athenaeum Winds are heading for big things so see them now in the youth of their career before they head off on world tours!

Athenaeum Winds will perform on the 5th of June at Cottier's Theatre. You can purchase tickets here or visit the Cottier Theatre Box Office.