Flautist Derek Charke and guitarist Eugene Cormier have played together for years, much to the delight of audiences all over the Maritimes. This past month has been an especially exciting one for the Nova Scotia-based Charke-Cormier Duo, however, as they have just released their debut album, Ex Tempore.
Just in case you’re thinking an entire album of music for flute and guitar might be a bit much—think again! The pair has brought together a diverse program that takes you on a musical journey. They draw together compositions and arrangements from various eras and regions, keeping the sound fresh and engaging from beginning to end.
The opening tracks of the album most definitely belong on your Summer playlist. The duo evokes images of colourful South American towns and sun-soaked sandy beaches as they play a suite of pieces from composer Celso Machado. The six movements, named after Brazilian sweets, capture perfectly the quintessential style and sound of music from that country.
But there are also many more traditional pieces from their repertoire included in the program that will satisfy even the most discerning classical fans. On the track list is a selection of arrangements of works by Handel as well as several of Scarlatti’s sonatas. These crisp and bright performances showcase the skill and virtuosity of these seasoned musicians.
The album’s title track, “Ex Tempore,” is an original composition by Charke—himself a JUNO and East Coast Music Award-winning composer. As the name would suggest, he attempts to blur the lines between written music and improvisation. In this captivating new work, the flute is pushed beyond its conventional limits and the guitar effectively drives the piece forward with surprising rhythmic elements.
The musical journey comes to an end in Scotland with a Farewell to Stromness by contemporary British composer, Sir Peter Maxwell-Davies. The music itself is pretty simple and straight-forward, but the rich tones of flute and guitar paired with its memorable tune make it one of the highlights of the album.
Be sure to check out this first album from the Charke-Cormier Duo—it’s well worth a listen!