Music in Diverse Styles, an album of chamber music by Douglas Anderson was released by Ravello Records on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.  This unusual album has chamber ensembles from duo to septet, and music that varies stylistically from Rock to Bluegrass to Serialism to Minimalism.  Here’s a quick rundown on the pieces included:

Rock Riffs– an unlikely trio (picc/bass cl/tambourine) explores the overlap between serialism and popular music

Trio Suite– Fl/Cl/Perc trio explores serial togetherness in three contrasting movements

Vocalise No. 2– Dreamy minimalism slowly builds tension and gradually morphs into a gentle row

Trio for Clarinet, ‘Cello and Piano– 3 instruments meet at a serial row,  and explore all the nooks and crannies.

Septet– Fl/Ob/Cl/Bsn/Vln/Vla/Cello explore and dissect a tune, in this intriguing set of variations with an introduction and a coda

Trio for Brass– Tpt/Hn/Tbn have a ‘jocular conversation’, a ‘solemn procession‘, and  a ‘chase’ in 3 movements

Vernal Tracing No. 4– Alto Flute and Marimba start from almost nothing, build to a riveting climax, and then recede back to nothingness

Reverse Variations on ‘Arkansas Traveler’-Fiddle tune meets modern variation techniques

Some Thoughts on ‘The Rights of Man’– a quartet of violas riff on an old fiddle tune

Here’s a review and interview about the album:

Douglas Anderson | Interview | ‘Music In Diverse Styles’

For more details, and to order on your favorite platform, visit https://www.ravellorecords.com/catalog/rr8112/