CD: Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, ‘Incontri’

Artists: Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, composer; BBC Symphony Orchestra, thomas dausgaard

Released on Dacapo records, 2016

Pelle had written in his score notes that ‘In a forest, different kinds of birds continue their territorial song without yielding or altering their signals’. He was referring to the way the different sections of the orchestra play up against each other, each standing their ground. Two more pieces on the album are described by Andrew Mellor – Mirror II: ‘…only allows itself use of notes from two symmetrical outward sequences emerging from a central axis.’  Symphony, Antiphony: ‘…the pitch space is defined via a clear and simple unfurling, like a flower blossoming hesitantly.’ Incontri: ‘the patterns endear themselves as the piece creeps through its own fantastical, hallucinogenic landscape.’

The image I came up with for the album cover is based on a photograph of a song bird in silhouette. I played with some entertaining digital filters which did something quite magical to the image by both twisting and reflecting it into a visual vortex so that you get many birds singing in each their small world.

Thinking this cover was probably too crazy, I pitched it to Pelle: ‘… we have reflections, patterns, order, contrast… and even a bit of fun with the crazy bird shapes … What do you say?’ His reply came back: ‘… Interesting forms, rhythms, colours, total lay-out, having fine connection with the music on this CD! Funny, no discussion this time. I miss it!’

And I needn’t have worried that the cover design was too crazy, it was Pelle’s idea to have a motorbike on the disc inside.