Howard Skempton: 24 Preludes and Fugues (Orchid)

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First there was J S Bach. Then came Dmitri Shostakovich. The form is open for others to play with. I was unaware of Skempton’s contribution until this CD landed. A northern Englishman in his early 70s, Skempton is a minimalist in the absolute literal sense that he uses the fewest number of notes to make his point. Not a minim more or less.

In prelude-and-fugue form this yields a string of aphorisms connected by a tonal centre and a gentle, rocking, bucolic mood. Some of the pieces last no longer than 40 seconds.

The effect can be hypnotic if you want it to be, but pay closer attention and you’ll find a musical mind working with the simplest of materials to achieve a particular atmosphere. The pauses between each of the 24 pieces are as telling as the sound. William Howard plays with breathless poise.

At a time when radio stations are playing familiar stuff from a crisis playlist, I try to reach out for something off the beaten track, something to take me to a different angle of contemplation. Skempton took me there, and I’m glad of it. In these weeks of isolation, we need our ears to get us out of the house.