fRoots
"Methera's trailblazing debut CD appeared in 2008, since when they've been creating a stir with their intense and involving live performances."
"An ensemble ever more confidently exploring that murky territory lying between folk and chamber music - and having a whale of a time doing so. "
"As live recordings go, this is state of the art."
For full review visit fRoots online
Musician Magazine
"Innovative chamber folk
Lucy Deakin (cello), John Dipper and Emma Reid (fiddles) plus Miranda Rutter (viola) are an ensemble fast-garnering critical acclaim for their roots based music. Recorded live at London's Cecil Sharp House in the Autumn of 2009, their debut album reflects the quartet's thrilling, innovative blend of folk and chamber styles. Touches of Irish Jigs arrive with stately confidence, leaving you marvelling at the intricacy and skill on display. Also featured is the esteemed trio of Kerr Fagan Harbron, who add a special dash of folk flavouring to the proceedings and enable 'Three Galleys' to act as a wonderful climax.
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The Strad
"If you have doubts over whether the string quartet is a natural medium for traditional music - and I did - the Methera will leave you converted. This young foursome plays with a sense of flow and freedom that can only come through a deep understanding of the idiom, yet at the same time the player's early classical training means the group takes the chamber ensemble concerns of intonation, balance and textural clarity in its stride.
The music on this, Methera's second album, ranges from English hornpipes and jigs to landscape-inspired originals. The skilful arrangements are unfussy and rich in contrasts, with the group happy to explore colours and voicings rather than experiment with form, effects or tricksy time signatures. There are no attention seeking viruosics, but each instrument has space to shine, from Lucy Deakin's bobbing and weaving cello in Stepping Stones to Emma Reid's sweetly singing fiddle in her Magdalenas vals, a real charmer of a tune that turns on a gently rocking, falling figure inspired by a phrase in Bach's E major Partita.
The vocal-instrumental trio Kerr Fagan Harbron injects a shot of full-on folkiness into the song Three Galleys, where, propelled by bouzouki and mandolin the strings whip up a crowd-pleasing climax.
The live sound is warm and pleasingly focused, if not the last word in clarity. Though this may have been something to do with the group's practice of performing in an inward-facing circle."
Peter Somerford
Bright Young Folk
"Compiled using recordings taken from their recent live tour, ‘In Concert’ is Methera's second album. Joined by numerous collaborators on their tour, ranging from the Northern Sinfonia to Karen Tweed & Roger Wilson, ‘In Concert’ also features their collaboration with Kerr Fagan Harbron.
Combining elements of classical chamber music with their rich knowledge of the folk genre, this string quartet is forging a new musical path for themselves within the British traditional music scene.
‘Three Galleys’ - featuring Nancy Kerr, James Fagan and Robert Harbron - is the sole song on the album. With three extra instrumental lines added to the rich quartet sound, the combined strings provide a driving accompaniment for Kerr Fagan Harbron to take centre stage and tell the tale of the Three Galleys. The conclusion is a musical delight. With seven musicians on stage the resulting sound is massive, and it's easy to understand why the assembled audience bursts into rapturous applause as the final note is played.
The simply but accurately named ‘Fiddle Jigs’ does exactly what it says on the tin - and to great effect. With their toe-tappingly infectious rhythms the fiddles and viola weave in and out of each other, as if the various countermelodies are dancing to their own tune.
‘Old Tricks/ Wittenham Clumps’ is one of the many original compositions on the album and the two tunes really allow Methera to let rip.
Described by the band as "a bit of mad technical fun", ‘Old Tricks’ has the quartet playing in unison for the first half of the tune, before letting each instrumental line wander off to explore the musical landscape. The result is a highly complex and immediately catchy tune which encapsulates the whole concept which underpins Methera as a group - that the string quartet as an ensemble does not have to be confined to the ‘classical’ sphere.
‘In Concert’ is an enigmatic album - a live record but with the sound quality of a studio album. The resulting CD is an absolute delight to listen to and not only marks the four piece out as a highly proficient and engaging live but also one to definitely look out for."
Mary Stokes
Lira
"Lira Likes!
British Chamber Folk. On its new album Methera continues with a mild chamber music interpretation of traditional British folk music as well as self-penned compositions in the same tradition. As a classical string quartet with cello, viola and two violins, the group has a variation in tone that enables the individual numbers to develop into tight, refined arrangements. Deakin, Dipper, Reid and Rutter move musically and geographically through the British landscape and through playing styles that inspire their own music.
The group works delicately in the musical area that can be found between the expressions of western art music and folk music. As listener we are transferred unimpeded from jigs and interpretations of hornpipes and older modes, to be situated in the next moment in the midst of the grandeur of the classical baroque.
Furthermore, parts of the music are characterised by a darker drone-atmosphere that creates a strong suggestive effect. In some tunes the music lingers with repeated phrases that produce an almost minimalistic structure with carefully considered variations.
Methera has developed its music to a subtle art within the given frames of the quartet form."
Gunder Wålberg (translation from Swedish by Emma Reid)
Read the original text in Swedish at the Lira website.
Taplas
"Recorded live, Methera's second album comes over as bolder and more confident than their debut, though that was, in itself, an outstanding piece of work. The foursome combrises Emma Reid and John Dipper (fiddles), Miranda Rutter (viola) and Lucy Deakin (cello).
All contribute new compositions and every one is an absolute delight. Another new tune, by Northumbrian piper Andy May fits like a glove with two others, one each from Playford and John of the Green - the Cheshire Way. Reid's opener, Fine Lady, is a jig with a difference and the others from the band paint vivid landscapes or arise from personal experiences; there's not a weakness among them.
Wales gets a look in, too, with charming version of Phil Tanner's Gower Wassail, with its rare old modalities.
The album also includes a vocal track, courtesy Kerr Fagan Harbron, who also provide additional instrumentation. The song, the traditional Three Galleys, was re-written and sung by Nancy Kerr with the other two adding backing.
This is an album to be treasured.
Keith Hudson
R2 magazine
"There is something majestic about Methera. With their line-up of cello, viola and twin fiddles, their precise arrangements just about define chamber folk, turning their traditional tunes and folk-based compositions into the ideal soundtrack for a court masque.
I confess that on seeing them live, I was impressed but curiously unmoved, but this recording suggests that it was just an off night for either them or me. There is emotional depth at the root of Methera's playing, whether it's drawing out the earthy antiquity of 'The Gower Wassail' or conjuring up the untameable spirits of the air - on 'Stepping Stones', and fire - in a set cunningly titled 'Fiddle Jigs'.
The live recording allows the music to breathe and, in spite of the expertise on show, there is a thrilling spark of danger throughout. Nancy Kerr's arrangement of 'Three Galleys' sees the quartet joined by Kerr Fagan Harbron to dramatic effect, adding further density to the layered strings, before leaving it to the quite remarkable four-piece to close on the quite dazzling 'Old Tricks'/'Wittenham Clumps', on which it's hard not to imagine powdered aristocracy shaking their wigs and swinging their pantaloons and crinolines in a quite indecorous manner."
Oz Hardwick
FiddleOn
"Methera choose and compose the most wonderful tunes, their string sound is sweet and clean, their decorations are subtle and expressive, their rhythms are exciting, catchy and quirky, their pure intonation makes even the most extreme discords sound fantastic, and their arrangements are original, uncompromising and clever. They make those strings ring and shout, and they make them whisper and melt. They can do a jaunty, jolly tune set, or create an almost mystical mood in which time almost stops. It doesn't get better than this!"
The Living Tradition
"There can't have been too many of us lying awake for nights on end thinking "if only someone would unite the rich texture of the string quartet format with the depth and integrity of traditional music, if only..."
However those who have brooded for perhaps years in this fashion can now dispense with the Sominex as Lucy Deakin, Miranda Rutter, John Dipper, Emma Reid on cello, viola and fiddles respectively, inspired by the creative musician's need to innovate and experiment have done just that. Already feted by BBC Radio 3's Verity Sharp (Late Junction) most artists would never risk, much less accomplish so wonderful a rabbit-from-hat as is realised here.
The co-operative, whose individual names should be familiar from membership of such varied outfits as the English Acoustic Collective, The Bezzas, and Jabadaw deploys its talents to good effect. It's a focused work too, by turns jaunty and stately. The originals, which include the opening Apple Scrumping (Miranda) and Orange and Green (Lucy) are interspersed with trad. numbers (Lumps of Plum Pudding/Henry Cave's Hornpipe) and dovetail so easily that it's hard to see the join. A voyage of sonic and cultural experimentation then, is the idea; a richly rewarding euphonic experience is the net result. "The tunes we choose to play, both traditional and newly composed are those that enchant us" say Methera and who could disagree with such a mission statement? The surprise of the year to these ears; an untried concept, but immaculately done, it's hard to argue with music this plucky and adventurous. Sometimes new wine and old bottles aren't incompatible.
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Clive Pownceby
English Dance & Song magazine
"Lake District sheep are a spirited and independent breed as were the shepherds who continued to use the old Norse numbers - yan, tan, tethera, Methera - when counting them. The four players who make up the string quartet Methera are Lucy Deakin, John Dipper, Emma Reid and Miranda Rutter. They are extraordinarily talented musicians whose music demonstrates their own spirit and independence.
The string quartet (two violins, viola and cello) in classical music has been described as ‘the one perfect medium for musical expression‘ and it is interesting to see this medium applied to traditional music by people who are not afraid of ‘folky quavers’ as derided by one violin teacher. The sonorities range from the ‘music of the spheres’ in ‘Copernicus’ to the exciting wash of sound in ‘Anno 1643’. The cello provides a percussive bass as pioneered by the Chainsaw Sisters, but throughout the four parts lead, interact and support equally, making it truly the music of friends.
Scandinavian influences are heard in several tracks, particularly the two Swedish song tunes but also ‘Frenchy Set’ by Jean François Vrod. The contemporary pieces will have to prove themselves over time but are off to a promising start, being steeped in tradition. Traditional English tunes gradually kick the music into a higher gear with colourful arrangements. The Playford tune ‘Mount Hills’ features two instruments in unison with counter melodies weaving in and out. The ‘English Set’ has references to bell-ringing and more tunes than those listed, the hornpipe developing into a complete miniature suite of English music with its roots firmly in dance.
The production is excellent and there are adequate, if brief, notes. This is a CD that rewards careful listening and there is nothing woolly about it except the strands of sheep‘s wool illustrated on the cover, symbolising the musical threads woven into a fascinating tapestry by Methera."
Lyn Law
Songlines
"Methera's line-up is totally conventional, yet very unusual. Emma Reid and John Dipper play fiddles, Miranda Rutter plays viola, and Lucy Deakin plays cello. But how many classical string quartets include in their repertoire dance tunes by the Somerset knife-grinder Henry Cave?
Perhaps more should, because traditional English music such as 'Henry Cave's Hornpipe' or 'Mount Hills', are simply gorgeous when played by a string quartet. It works so well because, although this is a classical formation, Methera don't turn their material into classical music. It is significant that they learn the pieces and play without sheet music, so it is lively and risky. But neither is this a trad session on posh instruments. Methera's musicians play with all the accuracy and intensity that distinguishes chamber music. It is original and highly enjoyable. As well as traditional tunes, Methera play some of their own compositions and those by their contemporaries. A tune inspired by a 17th-century astronomer, but recently written, in which Enlightenment ideas and more contemporary questioning of the cosmos rub up against one another, exemplifies what they're up to. 'Copernicus' is by Robert Harbron, who recorded the album and has captured Methera's live performance beautifully. They are also keen on Scandinavian music, perhaps because the sharp clarity of this suits them. But there is nothing winterishly bleak about this album - rather a gentle glow of enjoyment pervades the music and Methera's performance."
Julian May
Taplas
"This is not just any old quartet. Methera model themselves on the classical string quartet, with Miranda Rutter on viola and Lucy Deakin rounding things of on cello. The four came together precisely to explore the classical construct as a medium for traditional music. The outcome is sheer delight, with a fascinating and varied selection of great pieces, many of which are from the pens of the quartet's line-up.
Methera cast their nets more widely, though, bringing in modern compositions by the masterful French fiddler Jean-François Vrod, Swedish guitarist Roger Tallroth, Swedish-Finnish fiddler Karl Gustaf Karlsson and, from nearer home, Robert Harbron (who also recorded and co-produced the album) gazes into the skies with Copernicus. The past is not overlooked: Playford is plundered for Mount Hills, two other well-known English dance tunes get an airing and, presumably, Reid was behind the two ancient Swedish melodies. Both albums are utterly mesmerising and each reveals previously hidden depths with every repeated listening"
excerpt from a double review by Keith Hudson
Lira
"LIRA LIKES!
String quartet in folk music tradition. The repertoire of string quartets is most often associated with the expression of classical music. That established string quartets tackle folk music is a good testimony to the genre, but sometimes the nerve of the folk music is lost. The instrumentation of the string quartet nevertheless provides rich possibilities to capture the specific expression of folk music.
This is shown by the folk musicians in the new English quartet Methera with their debut album. They make a strong and independent break-through into predominantly the English folk tradition with both traditional and new material. Through Emma Reid and some Swedish music we also are provided for from a Swedish horizon. The diverse and coherent sound of a cello, two fiddles and a viola fulfills the groups’ objective of giving the tunes a personal character.
As prominent instrumentalists the various members of the group have made exciting and powerful arrangements of older English music, own compositions and old-inspired Swedish folk music. Through playing technique and tone of instrument, each musician expresses the content and atmosphere of the stories the tunes wish to tell. Methera’s music grows strong in an inspired interplay between creative musicians, expressive intonations and thoughtful rhythmic motion."
Gunder Wålberg (translation from Swedish by Emma Reid)
Bath Chronicle
"Rosie Upton’s top 5 roots records
Methera
Album: Methera
Why: The music ranges from traditional tunes to recent compositions
with wonderful melodies and beautifully constructed harmonies.
Lovers of both traditional folk and classical music will revel in
this innovative and perfectly paced virtuoso album that successfully
combines the integrity of traditional English music with the fine
texture of a classical string quartet. All 12 tracks are stylish but
my favorites are Apple Scrumping and In Its Time."
(Other records included were: Eliza Carthy - Dreams of breathing
under water, Fotheringay - Fotheringay 2, Mariza - Terra, Robb
Johnson and the Irregulars - Love and death and politics
Rosie Upton
