'Shakespeare Resonances' contains thirteen original, contemporary instrumentals and songs. Six instrumentals open the album followed by seven tracks that contain some of Shakespeare’s most poetic, well-known, and insightful prose. The quality of some of the compositions has been reviewed previously in the music press as being ‘splendidly ambitious Early Music-tinged’ and the five highly experienced musicians, working together for this project as An Amber Ensemble, ensure an eclectic, beautifully played and entertaining album. The inspiration for the music and songs has been drawn from Shakespeare’s plays The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard II, Cymbeline, Henry VIII, The Merchant of Venice, and Timon of Athens. The selection of seven songs in the second part of the album may be particularly interesting to anyone who has yet to fully discover the colossal and rich heritage contained in Shakespeare’s thirty-six published plays. If you are listening to the album from the start and in sequence; Part One comprises all the instrumental tracks and Part Two, the songs.
Profits from the whole project will support Ruby Heart, an organization that provides bereavement assistance and support, as part of the Feminenza International charity. We also express deep thanks to the Template Foundation for providing financial support for the project and Macarena Mata Porras director of Eminent Productions for facilitating and contributing to the release of the album through their website and platform.
1. Amber Resonance – Nigel guitar; Gavin violin and viola; Bryan synth; composed by Nigel.
2. Courtly Dance – Bryan guitar, drum, and synth; Gavin violin and viola; composed by Bryan.
3. Orpheus Overture – Bryan and Nigel guitar; Gavin orchestra programming; composed by Bryan.
4. Simple Harmonies – Michael guitar; Geraldine ukelele; Gavin violin, viola, and cello; Bryan synth; composed by Michael and Geraldine.
5. The Way of the Rose – Richard guitar; Bryan synth; composed by Richard.
6. Amber Alchemy – Bryan rhythm guitar and synth; Gavin bass, lead electric and acoustic guitars; composed by Bryan.
7. Our Revels Now Are Ended – Bryan guitar and vocal; Gavin violin/viola; Shakespeare prose; composed by Bryan.
8. This Royal Seat of Kings - Bryan guitar and vocal and synth; Gavin orchestra programming, recorder; Shakespeare prose; composed by Bryan.
9. Fear No More - Bryan rhythm guitar, vocal and synth; Gavin bass, lead electric and acoustic guitars ; Shakespeare prose; composed by Bryan.
10. Unseen and Yet Seeing - Bryan guitar and vocal and synth; Gavin bass, lead electric guitar; composed by Bryan and Nigel.
11. Quality of Mercy - Michael guitar; Geraldine ukelele; Bryan vocal and synth; Shakespeare prose; composed by Michael and Geraldine
12. The Sun’s a Thief - Richard guitar; Bryan vocal and synth; Shakespeare prose; composed by Richard.
13. The Song of Orpheus - Bryan guitar and vocal; Nigel guitar; Gavin orchestra programming; Shakespeare prose; composed by Bryan.
