David Motion

CD - Neo-Classic

Play 90 second soundbite of 'Call To Charms' @ 'CD quality'

The title gives it away! 'Neo-Classic' by David Motion is exactly what it suggests - classically influenced musical composition brought up-to-date through modern technology and its digital possibilities. Now you purists, don't get all righteous on me - this aint no flawed attempt to be clever and smug, this is the real deal, proper modern composition that's been perceived and created by a man with a wealth of experience in composition and a huge knowledge of the 'classics'.

I have to say, as I listen I'm being almost literally picked up and carried away on a wave of sound that's at times moving, at others haunting but always vibrant and sensitive; 'Neo-Classic' is a tremendous piece of work! Many attempts have been made to bring classics to the modern 'ear'. Many will remember works such as 'Switched On Bach' and Tomita's early electronic 'variations' on well known classics - they were cool and indeed clever in their day. 'Neo-Classic' is like none of those plagiarised works - this is new composition, new sound, new depth, this is 'Neo-Classic'!!

Given it's release date of 20th November, David Motion's 'Neo-Classic' couldn't have been timed any better; this would make a great present or stocking-filler for the discerning classical music lover with an ear for the modern and the innovative. Ok, so Motion's not Bach nor Mahler nor Sibelius and he doesn't pretend to be. But, Motion is quite obviously influenced by Claude Debussy and much of this album is steeped in the Debussy-esque style; I'll quote from Motion's press pack here, "Debussy...whose music virtually defines the transition from late Romantic-music to twentieth century modernist music...."', so, the influence is probably completely just and well targeted.

Now, I don't listen to a great deal of classical music - I have a decent enough collection but I probably don't understand it well enough. Even with my little knowledge I don't really like the plagiarist approach where the 'classics' are re-visited with modern technology. Thankfully, David Motion's 'Neo-Classic' isn't like that; this is modern composition, in the classical style - and it's damn good!!

'Neo-Classic' by David Motion is an exceptional piece of work that'll probably bring about lots of discussion and debate on the whole subject of 'classic' versus modern. For me, that's all crap!! What matters is that 'Neo-Classic' isn't trying to be something it can't justifiably claim to be - it's honest and open - it's a work of strength and vision - and it's better than good, it's actually quite stunning!!

A - Z Selector

Re-start Site