Description:	CD on Oof!
	Format:	CD
	Genre(s):	Neoclassical
	Label:	Oof
	Price:	£9.79
	Availability:	Sold out / currently unavailable. Sorry!

5
...according to our Phil on 14 November 2006.

Another possible contender for album of the week was THE NORTH SEA RADIO ORCHESTRA CD on Oof! which simply brings a whole new meaning to the word lovely. Largely a classical beast it ebbs and flows like an ebby flowy thing. There's a lot of Rachels in there, Brian Eno and other such classical wunderkins. This doesn't really feature any electronics so it's quite different to the Max Richter or Johann Johannsson albums. Occasionally some lovely winsome female vocals kick in and give it a slightly folky feel. A brilliant sounding record and the track called Every Day Hath Its Night is just one of the best things I've heard in donkeys.

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What their label says...

North Sea Radio Orchestra is a unique chamber group who perform music of beauty and originality that has at its heart a lyricism of a particularly English nature. Featuring wind, strings, percussion, guitars, organs and voices, theirs is a world in which melody and harmony abound.

Founded in Summer 2002 by Craig and Sharron Fortnam originally to perform Craig's classical works. He was trained at Dartington College of Arts, graduating in 1990, and never ceased to compose despite the attraction of pop. Since leaving Dartington, he has had pieces performed by esteemed groups such as the Kreutzer Quartet and the Britten Sinfonia. Craig and Sharron had previously worked together in the English psychedelic acoustic band Lake of Puppies with William D. Drake – this association continues as pieces by Drake are performed in the Orchestra and he has become involved as a performer, singing in the chorus and playing piano pieces as part of the ensemble.

North Sea Radio Orchestra has reinforced links between writers, singers and musicians on a prolific London scene drawing in members from surrounding projects and creating the opportunity, for some, to indulge in something classical in nature whether composing, performing or both. The Orchestra is committed to exposing the strength of the new British composers involved, to continue to premiere new works and to keep on growing. In the beginning, there were just eight musicians, now there are twenty members forming the Orchestra and the expanding North Sea Chorus. North Sea Radio Orchestra premieres works by Craig Fortnam, William D Drake and James Larcombe and also features improvisations and pieces composed collectively by its members. Many of the pieces are poetry settings and as well as classic lyrical poets such as Tennyson and Yeats, new poet Daniel Dundas Maitland is also featured. Solo vocal performances by Sharron Fortnam (described by Verity Sharp, presenter of Late Junction on Radio 3, as having a 'pure' voice) and Richard Larcombe lend a very English flavour to the music.

The Orchestra honed its craft in churches within the square mile of the City of London with concerts in St. Martin-within-Ludgate in the shadow of St. Paul's Cathedral, in St. Clement Eastcheap and St. Olave Hart Street. It was a rewarding experience which afforded the Orchestra the space and time to create a strong identity, musically and visually. They have since moved out of the square mile and indeed London including performances at St Giles in the Fields in London’s west end; Bush Hall, London and St. Michael's Church, Blewbury.

NSRO have attracted many glowing reviews for their live and recorded performances. Their first release ‘The Flower’ (oof! records - 7” single) has been broadcast many times on Radio 1, 2, 3 and 6music as well as regional stations. The success of the single can be attributed to the truly unique sound of NSRO - a strange alliance of various influences and elements: Benjamin Britten, Vernon Elliot, the Incredible String Band, London clay, Vaughan Williams, water from the Thames and shingle from Bankside.