Music is the cup which holds the wine of Silence - Robert Fripp, Paris, Spring, 1980
Robert Fripp is a guitarist and composer. Best known as co-founder of the group King Crimson, and his outstanding work with artists such as David Bowie, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and David Sylvian,, he is one of the most innovative and consistently challenging musicians of his generation.
The Wine of Silence is the first album to feature orchestral arrangements of the guitarist's solo Soundscapes work. Since the early 1990s Fripp has utilised the latest in looping technology and digital effects to create a gradually unfolding, highly textured, expansive and overtly orchestral music.
In 2003, UK based composer Andrew Keeling completed work on a series of detailed orchestral arrangements of pieces taken from Fripp's solo performances which had been painstakingly transcribed by Bert Lams (California Guitar Trio).
Receiving their live premiere in The Netherlands by the Metropole Orkest under the baton of Jan Stulen in 2003, the results evoke the works of Part, Gorecki, Tavener and others in the "holy minimalist" school of composition.
Andrew Keeling's sensitive and often startling orchestrations emphasise the reverie, passion and contemplation which is at the heart of Fripp's Soundscapes. The Wine of Silence captures the spirit of the original performances reflecting the guitarist's rich musicality. It encompasses passages of yearning melody, dramatic choral sequences and beautiful string motifs. While sometimes sombre and elegiac, Fripp's music radiates a sense of hope, affirmation and resolution. With the tapes of the original Metropole Orkest performance subsequently treated by David Singleton - co-producer of all of Fripp's Soundscapes recordings to date - The Wine Of Silence forms a sublime and often moving collection of contemporary orchestral music.
Average Rating: (From 4 Reviews):
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The 'Orchscape' lives!
From Gene Bulmer of Somerville, New Jersey on .
This is a wonderfully crafted album & NOT simply another "Symphonic Works of...", tired & worn project.
The stings & swells, interpolating Robert's Lunar-Module driven sonic axe, are meticulously crafted; enough so that i have gotten lost within their dense, aural foliage several times on my repeated listenings.
The voice component should not be overlooked. 'Miserere Mei' provides the listener with a near perfect matching of the Fripp swells via soprano & bass choral components.
All in all - a fantastic offering...with equally fantastic liner notes (yes, I read them).
Beautiful and Sublime
From Kevin Mills of Birmingham, England on .
I believe Andrew Keeling's orchestration of Fripp’s soundscapes has possibly produced the best soundscape yet, beautiful and sublime.
Orchestrate us!
From Gene Bulmer of Somerville, New Jersey on .
After hearing a 4 minute sample, I am eagerly awaiting my pre-ordered copy of this. Orchestrated Fripp...cool!
Can't Wait!!!
From Anonymous of Moscow, Russian Federation on .
obviously haven't listened yet, but brilliant idea!
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