Max Richter/Hauschka/Dustin O’Halloran
St Mary’s Church, Brighton
12/05/2011

A full label showcase seems the best way to follow the intimate individual artist shows at The Vortex in recent months, and with the impact of those still resonating this is a mouthwatering prospect indeed. And so it begins with Dustin O’Halloran, classical pianist and composer of repute, and a man responsible for putting lumps in throats all over the place. He’s joined by a string section for a set that centres on flawless label debut ‘Lumiere’, and the accompaniment adds to the magnificence rather than detracting from the fragile emotional content

While Dustin works to a relatively traditional classical framework, Hauschka – in the middle of tonight’s bill – embraces more experimental techniques. Beneath the cocking around there’s something darkly beautiful, and tonight’s audience lap it up. But for all of the detail and musical proficiency involved, it’s wearing a little thin by the end, appreciative though we are of him fulfilling the role of breaking the flow a little. At the top of the bill is Max Richter, a man who, since his staggering second album ‘The Blue Notebooks’, has comfortably avoided treading water. Tonight his main set features his ballet score ‘Infra’ in its entirety, with Max at the piano and a string quintet centre stage providing the depth and goosebumps. It’s epic stuff, no more so than when he occupies the remaining minutes with  ‘On The Nature Of Daylight’ and  ‘The Trees’ – from the aforementioned landmark sophomore album – which are eye-wateringly moving.

It’s abundantly clear by the end that the 130701 imprint that is home to all three acts has this scene bagged and tied up, and what they have is noteworthy in that it’s not a passing trend but music that endures. Tonight will remain in the conscience of those in attendance for a very long time.

Andy Slocombe