Christopher Whitley ALMOST AS SOFT AS SILENCE
CHRISTOPHER WHITLEY
ALMOST AS SOFT AS SILENCE
Independent Release
Christopher Whitley, solo violin/composer.
Christopher Whitley is praised for his violin brilliance and often described as a sound magician. This solo violin exploration features his composer skills and his musical curiosity. With a title for his album like “Almost as Soft as Silence” I could not wait to listen to this new music by Whitley, played on the 1700 “taft” Stradivari instrument on loan from the Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank. It is a 300-plus-year-old violin, with a sound that is rich with history and beauty.
The Whitley vignettes range from less than 20-seconds to just over four minutes. Each is spontaneous and performed beautifully.
Christopher Whitley explained: “I wanted to explore a wide range of definitions of free improvisation, from pieces that feel more structured and composed, to pieces that are entirely gestural.”
As each unique composition by Whitley rolls off my CD player, I am captivated by his tone and melodic structure. As a composer, Whitley has employed various methods and forms over this body of work. He incorporates acoustic improvisation, electronic processing, and multimedia collaboration. His debut album “Hecca Autre” was released in 2018.
Whitley received his Bachelor of Music at McGill University and his Master’s Degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He then completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Maryland. Currently a resident of Toronto, Canada, Christopher Whitley performs recitals and concerts across Canada, North America, Europe and China. This album is a unique and lovely approach to soundscapes delivered by the violin, creatively expressed by Whitley’s awesome, solo, technical expertise of this instrument, and his imaginative composing. I find this new work to be both satisfying and emotionally expressive in ways that touch my spirit.
Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil
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