Jürg Frey: Borderland Melodies

Borderland Melodies is welcome for several reasons. Firstly, it is numbered "at200," indicating it is the landmark two-hundredth album issued by Another Timbre since its debut in the autumn 2007. As the label's hundredth album was released in 2016, it seems its rate of releasing albums is increasing (maybe a side effect of Covid?) Secondly, like five of the label's previous six albums, Borderland Melodies was performed by Apartment House, who were first credited on an Another Timbre album in 2014 and have effectively become the label's house ensemble, drawing on first-rate players from an impressive pool of talent. Thirdly, the album comprises three pieces by the Swiss composer, clarinetist, and Wandelweiser stalwart Jürg Frey, his sixth outing on Another Timbre; this album follows hard on the heels of the excellent triple album Lieues d'Ombres (Elsewhere, 2022) on which pianist Reinier van Houdt played Frey piano pieces solo.

In stark contrast to that album's lone voice, Borderland Melodies features small groups, ranging from quintet to septet, with violin, cello, clarinet, and bass clarinet present on all tracks. The original idea was for Frey to play as part of the ensemble alongside Apartment House's clarinetist Heather Roche, but that was scuppered by the arrival of Covid followed by Frey having an illness which led him to decide to stop playing clarinet and concentrate on composing. Those postponements gave Frey time to play through a new four-part piece that he had composed for the recording session, "L'État de Simplicité," and discover ways to improve it. In addition to that piece, the album comprises two other pieces. All were recorded by Simon Reynell at Goldsmiths Music Studio on the 16th and 17th of July 2022.

The eighteen-minute title piece, which opens the album, begins sparsely, with a piano note played once in its first half minute, but is soon fleshed out with violin, cello and both clarinets gradually entering, all instruments playing sustained notes. Typical of Frey, this piece does not overcrowd the soundscape but allows each instrumental contribution to be clearly heard so it can be properly savoured. At the heart of the album is "L'État de Simplicité," which is evidence of the time Frey spent improving it. The eight- minute first part, "À la limite du sens" opens with sustained cello that gives it a foundation and a sense of gravitas which is offset by the arrival of the more playful strings and clarinets. By way of contrast, the four-minute second part, "Toucher I'air," is sparser and quieter so that every note is clear, with the other two parts different again making the piece varied and rich in detail.

The album closes with the thirty-two-minute "Movement, Ground, Fragility," a title which could easily be applied to the entire album. On it, the ensemble expands to a septet with the return of Kerry Yong on piano and the addition of Simon Limbrick on subtle percussion. However, the addition of two players and instruments does not signal a fuller soundscape but a broader, more varied group sound that can be savoured and enjoyed repeatedly. As Frey approaches his seventieth year, the good news is that he intends to continue composing for the foreseeable future. This album is a triumph for Frey, Another Timbre and Apartment House. Bravo!