FALKNER EVANS - Invisible Words
Consolidated Artists Productions: CAP 1070
Falkner Evans (piano)
Recorded at Samurai Studio, Queens, NYC, January 11th and February 6th 2021
The philosopher Emmanuel Kant once said something to the effect that one could not make a valid aesthetic judgement unless one adopted a disinterested position devoid of emotional entanglement so when I tell you that this solo piano recital was created in response to the tragic death of the artist’s wife who took her own life last year, you will understand how difficult it is to be dispassionate in making a reasoned critique of the music.
In the process of composing and performing the eight pieces featured in this album Falkner Evans has attempted to capture the spirit of his wife Linda both as an act of personal catharsis and means by which those who didn’t know her personally can gain an impression of her character. The difficulty is that whilst one has empathy with another’s grief especially in this time of pandemic when so many hopes and ambitions are crushed and stunted, to make an objective evaluation of something as abstract as a piece of music one has to set these considerations aside.
Personally, I have to say that though Evans is undoubtably a fine pianist his music didn’t fulfil the second part of his brief and I found the undifferentiated, legato nature of his compositions too deficient in character to engage my interest, my attention drifting away after a short while. Others, especially those who knew and were close to the tragic lady, will respond more positively and I hope for them this release will assuage their sense of loss. As one who has experienced the suicide of a loved one I hope that the act of creating this music has helped Falkner Evans to erase the sense of futility and helplessness that is felt by those left to pick up the pieces and that we will soon have the opportunity to hear more of his work conceived under happier circumstances.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
Consolidated Artists Productions: CAP 1070
Falkner Evans (piano)
Recorded at Samurai Studio, Queens, NYC, January 11th and February 6th 2021
The philosopher Emmanuel Kant once said something to the effect that one could not make a valid aesthetic judgement unless one adopted a disinterested position devoid of emotional entanglement so when I tell you that this solo piano recital was created in response to the tragic death of the artist’s wife who took her own life last year, you will understand how difficult it is to be dispassionate in making a reasoned critique of the music.
In the process of composing and performing the eight pieces featured in this album Falkner Evans has attempted to capture the spirit of his wife Linda both as an act of personal catharsis and means by which those who didn’t know her personally can gain an impression of her character. The difficulty is that whilst one has empathy with another’s grief especially in this time of pandemic when so many hopes and ambitions are crushed and stunted, to make an objective evaluation of something as abstract as a piece of music one has to set these considerations aside.
Personally, I have to say that though Evans is undoubtably a fine pianist his music didn’t fulfil the second part of his brief and I found the undifferentiated, legato nature of his compositions too deficient in character to engage my interest, my attention drifting away after a short while. Others, especially those who knew and were close to the tragic lady, will respond more positively and I hope for them this release will assuage their sense of loss. As one who has experienced the suicide of a loved one I hope that the act of creating this music has helped Falkner Evans to erase the sense of futility and helplessness that is felt by those left to pick up the pieces and that we will soon have the opportunity to hear more of his work conceived under happier circumstances.
Reviewed by Euan Dixon
