Gavin Bryars: Epilogue from Wonderlawn; Eight Irish Madrigals; the Church Closest to the Sea

The British composer Gavin Bryars started out as a jazz bassist, moved on to free improv, and eventually came under the influence of John Cage and his circle. Bryars helped found the Portsmouth Sinfonia and collaborated with the theater director Robert Wilson on CIVIL WarS. In 2009, the Scottish ensemble Mr McFall’s Chamber released an excellent album with three Bryars compositions. “Epilogue from Wonderlawn” finds repeating piano arpeggios and lovely sustained tones played on viola, three cellos, and double bass. “Eight Irish Madrigals” is based on English prose translations of Petrarch’s sonnets by the Irish playwright John Millington Synge. The voices of soprano Susan Hamilton and tenor Nicholas Mulroy blend nicely as they are accompanied by the chamber group. “The Church Closest to the Sea”, which Bryars wrote specifically for Mr McFalls Chamber, is the album’s highlight. String quartet, percussion, and piano — at times giving the impression of a larger ensemble — back up Rick Standley’s riveting pizzicato bass.