Utopia Cd

Considered a true poet of the guitar, Tom Kerstens plays mesmerizingly beautiful repertoire from two of Britains most exciting young composers - John Metcalfe & Joby Talbot. Utopia, whilst incorporating pop, rock, jazz and classical elements, simply is itself: expressive, individual and appealing to a wide audience.

Tom Kerstens is a major figure in the guitar world - a versatile performer and an influential champion of the guitar in his roles as player, recording artist and artistic director. Kerstens has collaborated with many leading UK orchestras and ensembles, recently forming his own ensemble, G Plus, which is dedicated to performing especially commissioned new work.

Both composers come from a background that combines art rock and classical training. John Metcalfe, from New Zealand, was, in an earlier incarnation, the viola player for Manchester-based Durutti Column and came later in his career to composition. He plays viola with the Duke Quartet and recently did the orchestral arrangements for Peter Gabriels album Scratch My Back.

Joby Talbot was a key member of passionate ironists The Divine Comedy. He studied classical composition and has enjoyed a lively and increasingly successful career composing for television, movies and the concert hall. He is currently composing the score for Alice In Wonderland for The Royal Ballet.

G Plus means guitar with something else. This can be guitar with other instruments, (e.g. the G Plus ensemble) or guitar with electronics (e.g. the three movements of The Third Fire). Both versions can be found in this, their debut recording.