Album: Gavin Bryars, The Church Closest to the Sea (Delphian)

Written for Mr McFall's Chamber following a chance meeting with the Scots ensemble's fellow bass-player, The Church Closest to the Sea favours the subterranean tones of double bass, tam-tam, bass drum and piano to furnish a brooding sensibility, like a relaxed but furtive stroll along the sea bed.

It's accompanied by the sombre, crepuscular Epilogue From Wonderlawn, on which viola takes the lead in an ensemble of bass, three cellos and piano; and Eight Irish Madrigals, in which tenor and soprano duet in criss-crossing melodic lines, wafted by the currents beneath The Church Closest to the Sea.

Download this: The Church Closest to the Sea, Eight Irish Madrigals