Stravinsky given new life by inventive musical duo, Will Butterworth and Dylan Howe (From Hereford Times)

Stravinsky given new life by inventive musical duo, Will Butterworth and Dylan Howe

11:47am Thursday 5th November 2009 in Leisure

STRAVINSKY Duo are pianist Will Butterworth and drummer Dylan Howe, returning to the Assembly Rooms in Presteigne tomorrow (Friday), a year after their sell-out concert as a trio with saxophonist Jake McMurchie.

This time they bring a very different musical proposition: extended versions of the Russian composer’s best-loved orchestral pieces, Rite of Spring and Firebird Suite.

Butterworth describes them as “50 per cent scored arrangement and 50 per cent improvisation”.

“So it’s true to the spirit of the original music, but it’s also constantly developing and different every time we play it, in the spirit of jazz,” he said.

The Duo have already played four concerts in London, including the famous Vortex club, but this is the first time they have taken it anywhere outside the capital.

It was Dylan Howe, son of Yes guitarist Steve Howe and long-time drummer with The Blockheads, who conceived the project. “I knew I had to have Will to make this work the way I wanted it,” he says.

“He’s a fantastic pianist with just the right combination of technical skill and soaring imagination.

“The rapport we have is uncanny, and we have so much fun playing this music.”

The concert is promoted by Tigerfish Productions and starts at 8pm.

Admission is £9 on the door, with reservations available on 01568 770177.