CLASSICAL GUITAR MAGAZINE
UNITED KINGDOM
MARCH 2000
THE FRAGRANCE OF PARADISE
GARETH KOCH - GUITAR
ABC CLASSICS AUSTRALIA
All titles by Gareth Koch
(Previously released as Journey to the Otherworld)
Sub-titled Solo guitar music inspired by medieval myths and legends
this imaginative and enterprising CD comes with some very colourful packaging and is most attractive to the eye. Moreover, the man's reputation, after his almost unbelievable attempt at the complete Orff Carmina Burana considerably preceeds him.
This latest collection is based largely on medieval trouvere melodies. This only serves as a starting point for Koch's compositional work however, for he then embellishes the music with all manner of ideas, and makes the melodies very much his own. If this is starting to sound like an unappetising hybrid, then nothing could be further from the truth, for the end result is a heady mixture that is totally successful.
The music itself is at times very medieval, as you would expect, but at other times has folk, ethnic, and even some rock/blues influences. The arrangements are hypnotic and made me want to play the scores (I hope Mr Koch is going to publish them!)
Highlights include the opening Lustful Abbot, with its percussive sounds and its open 5th chords, a wonderful opener. The hauntingly beautiful Taste of the Fountain, The hags of Gloucester which is based on Steleye Span's The Lowlands of Holland from one of my all time favourite CDs Hark the Village Wait to Song of the Virgin with its unusual voicing of chords. However to mention only four tracks is penny-pinching of the highest order, because this CD is simply made up of highlights.
The sound is first rate, the playing is clean, well-controlled and first rate, and the music is indescribably evocative. This is possibly the best CD I have ever reviewed, but don't just take my word for it, go and buy it!