Review of INLAND (Rattle)
Listener
March 15, 2008
Reviewer Ian Dando
Michael Houstoun
Inland (Rattle)
Michael Houstoun’s architectural expertise with large piano works enables him to get the broad picture and dramatic momentum of Douglas Lilburn’s expansive Chaconne. This is Houstoun at full peak. He likes those who “start at the first bar and actually develop something”. That fits Ken Young’s Five Pieces. A basic idea, be it thirds in contrary motion, or one chord, shows a logical and expansive outgrowth from its opening bar. Houstoun relates so well to these and to John Psathas’ infectious rhythmic brio in Jettatura and Gao Ping’s assured writing where light music (a tribute to Astor Piazzolla’s tangos) never compromises quality. Victoria Kelly’s quietly spoken Landscape Prelude is almost an intrusion on privacy. Among the 15 miniatures that our premier jazz man, Mike Nock, creates for Houstoun, the quietly reflective items with their changing phrase lengths and metres are especially subtle. Houstoun’s choice of Kiwi works is as tasteful as his poetic and articulate playing of them.
COMMENT: For the record, there are 12 pieces by Mike Nock and they weren’t written for me, even if I might wish they were! MH