Within an Ian Clarke Album Review

Listen to extracts from the album here

Within an Ian Clarke Album Review

Within is one of those albums that I lend to all my flute students. This is because listening is an incredibly important part of the learning process. Sometimes engaging students in active listening is a challenge but I find that most students are enthralled by contents of this album.

‘Within’ is a fabulous album by one of my all-time favourite flautists and composers Ian Clarke. It was Clarke’s first ever album and emerged onto the music scene in 2005. The album takes listeners into a realm that exists somewhere between the worlds of classical and rock. This is done through a vast array of extended techniques ranging from multiphonics and singing to bamboo tones and timber trills.

While this ‘contemporary’ element may be enough to turn off some the traditionalists it is excellent for anyone wanting to bridge the gap between popular and classical music. Consequently, a new, young audience is transported into this mysterious, lyrical and intensely emotional world of flute, piano and electronics.

The Great Train Race

“The Great Train Race” is by far the ‘coolest’ or fun..est work on the album. The work includes a delicate balance of multiphonics and percussive sounds. Together these sonic treats work to emulate the sounds of a great train race, which they have done to great success. It is a fantastic piece to use with young children as a listening activity because it evokes such strong and detailed imagery of a train and its journey.

TRKS

While the whole album really is amazing my personal all-time favourite track is TRKS. This is a collaborative work between Clarke and Simon Painter. TRKS beautifully captures the hollow almost mournful voice of the flute by juxtaposing it with a percussive, bass-heavy electronic accompaniment. These two parts weave in out of various layers of tone colour and complexity. Together they transport the listener into a world that is utterly unique. Much like Pandora in James Cameron’s Avatar.

Final Thoughts

Overall this is a high energy album requiring a great level of mastery and fitness from the performer. The AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) has included a selection of works from this album on their flute syllabus. These pieces are for students who lack interest and connection with traditional flute repertoire.

For more info about Ian Clarke check out this episode of Fabulous Flautists.