Review

Sunleif Rasmussen: Dancing Raindrops

David Denton

Born in the Faroe Islands, you will be experiencing a spectrum of new sounds from Sunleif Rasmussen often based on his collection of local folk songs. Born in 1961 he became a student at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, and there he came into contact with the latest sounds, particularly those generated by electronics that play an important role in the Suite for Guitar and the piano piece, Like The Golden Sun. The booklet informs that the songs he has collected are broken down and refashioned in modern garb. I would add that it is a ‘very modern garb' the sounds of guitar and effect processor in the Suite are stimulating, while the short Andalag finds something new for two flutes. Where he and I come together is in the final work, Mozaik/Miniature, where he uses music from his first symphony, and with four instruments-flute, clarinet, violin and piano-he has so much more scope to employ his very fertile creativity. The performances come from Aldubaran, a group of 14 musicians formed in the Faroe Islands to promote their national music. It can, as here, be broken down into segments, and they are highly impressive. Try Dancing Raindrops for clarinet, violin and piano to get a comprehensive feel of the disc. Very up-front sound.