Commissioned by the Britten Sinfonia, Tom Coult’s 14-minute work for string orchestra, My Curves are not Mad, made a bold impression when it premiered in London, Norwich and Saffron Walden. Driven by clear incisive gestures and rich, luminescent harmonies, the work was inspired by the late cut-outs of Henri Matisse.
‘This young London-based composer has an ear for subtly overlaid string textures and timbres… including some fanfaring violins that seemed to carry Britten’s string-writing into 21st-century landscapes.’
The Times (Richard Morrison), 24 March 2015
‘Gritty… built on a foundation of sustained pitches that are interrupted by sforzando attacks and flurries of activity.’
The Guardian (Andrew Clements), 23 March 2015
‘A pulsing pedal established at the start ceases as the work opens up, reappearing towards the end as the harmonic blueprints are revealed. It is this harmonic energy which provides the impetus for the piece to unfold. My Curves are not Mad contains an array of attractive timbral effects, with an effective structural principle.’
Bachtrack (Katy Wright), 21 March 2015