Tony Banks, founder member of rock band Genesis, has already written a much admired orchestral work called Seven, which was praised for its ‘genuine melodic gift’ (Gramophone). His new work consists of six evocative songs without words which may evoke in the listener ideas of seduction, journey, hero, quest, decision and goal. Two of the pieces feature solo instruments—alto saxophone on Siren and violin on Blade—played here by elite soloists, which mesh into Banks’s orchestral tapestry with bewitching effect. The remaining pieces reveal his outstanding lyrical gifts and total command of musical narrative.
