Review by Agris Krumins

In many ways “The Sounds of Home” music project stretches far outside the boundaries of traditional English music one might expect to find in Northamptonshire. It imbricates a host of such diverse themes, ideas, traditions and sounds that it is almost impossible in this short review to fully reflect the scope, the success and some of the lacunae that appeared (or not!) in the process of the realisation of this project.
The project’s objective allows for the exploration and development of new horizons whilst challenging the very parameters of a composer’s work.
 
I write neither as a music professional, (though I do have strong views on music matters) nor do I write as a community activist (as I am not that either). I write purely as an interested and engaged spectator and will generally take my cue from the music, rather than the year long process of research that Boulton embarked upon. It is also difficult to write about a piece which is clearly still in the throes of gestation and therefore my comments need to be seen as provisory responses both to the music and to the engaging, explanatory and enlightening lecture that Paula Boulton gave in conjunction with this piece.