#john weeks

Gombert’s choral music is played here by Apartment House and has been arranged by James Weeks. The results both strip away the vocals and put the emphasis on Gombert’s melody and counterpoint. The music feels old, but the way it’s played here brings its textures out. It’s almost circular, constantly moving, with the instruments almost in conversation with each other: as the strings rise and fall, the woodwinds pick up and answer. It’s a nice example of counterpoint.

Throughout G O M B E R T, the music retains its choral and church-like ambience. It’s easy to picture this being played in a dark, gothic cathedral somewhere, candles flickering behind the group. And James’s arrangements translate well to Apartment House’s playing, giving it a stately, almost regal ambience. Pieces like “O Rex Gloriae” and “In te, Domine, speravi” shine with beauty and are easy to get lost in.

Elsewhere, Weeks’s interludes do an effective job of changing the pace. They’re more minimal, often with just a few instruments drawing the notes out and letting them linger. For example, “Media Vita I” has a slow droning sound in the background as the piano ticks like a clock, the notes ringing and hanging. He also does a good job utilizing Apartment House’s wide sonic palette: “Media Vita II” has the woodwinds playing low notes together, giving the impression of a giant pipe organ.

The two styles of slow minimalism and ever-moving counterpoint work well when contrasted against each other, and the playing by Apartment House is on point. They treat Gombert’s music carefully, playing it carefully, slowly, and without too many flourishes. Those with an ear for Kali Malone or any of Apartment House’s previous records will want to check this out.