For those seeking relaxing classical music outside the
wearisome confines of Classic FM, solace comes in the form of
Vista Musicale. Their album, From Innocence to Age, is jointly
composed by homegrown music talent Charlie Mauleverer (St
Peter’s College), and performed by some of Britain’s
best young musicians (including BBC Chorister of the Year 2001)
from Winchester College. Harmoniously using string, piano flute and voice, it seems
inspired from the past in its form. Yet there is an undeniably
contemporary air about it. The choral elements rise above
sometimes banal verse to achieve sublimely romantic effects. The pieces glide seamlessly into each other whilst works like
‘Enigma’ and the ‘String Quartets’ add life
to the soothing experience. Some of the tracks leave the listener
with the sense they should have been allowed to develop their
themes more fully. Overall though, this is a solid debut and not just a cure for
examstress. It’s an enjoyable experience in its own right
and with a high standard of composition and performance the album
could be ‘Music to watch clouds by’. The CD can be purchased from www.vistamusicale.comARCHIVE: 6th week TT 2004
Oxford’s own… Charlie Mauleverer
