Like many a prog musician John Hackett has musical tastes that reach out beyond the often-convoluted time signatures and long tunes that epitomise that genre. And from many of his past albums there is evidence of a definite love for classical music, which is hardly surprising for a flautist. That leads me to his latest solo project which is a journey deep into that territory. But despite that, it still manages to be a concept album with a narrative theme that tells a beautiful story. Or to be more accurate, two separate stories that blend sublimely.
Obviously, as they are instrumental pieces, I must relate the narrative using the sleeve notes, at least as the initial guide. However, although reading them, and being aware of the story, helps with the picture, the music itself is more important for the listening pleasure and images is painted in the mind. Two pieces, one set in WWI and the other showing his love for a small area of Italy.
‘The War Suite‘, starts off with Country Dance. Set in the more innocent times of 1914 as two people see each other at a dance and fall in love. It is a joyous piece which makes me think of Vaughan-Williams. Optimism and a simple happiness to be found with simple pleasures.
Enlistment, as the title suggests, is about the doing of duty. Rather than some brash flag waving piece that seemed to have gripped the volunteers, at the time, this is more reflective. I am not sure if John is a fan of Arthur Bliss but, as a composer who fought in ‘the Great War’ I could imagine him composing something moving like this.
Estaminet is a diversion where the men in uniforms go to a French café bar and act like the children that they really are under the military clothing. Happy and playful without any hints of what we all know is to come. Then, inevitably, comes the Despair. A sweeping piece that uses the orchestra to full effect. No booming instruments to echo the explosive horrors of war but it still manages to convey the same message.
Where Poppies Grow, quite simply is moving in a way that most composers would give their right arm to create. It is the sort of piece that could be played at any cenotaph on Remembrance Day and those that were respectfully stood to attention would be allowed to let the thoughts flow, as tears threaten to escape from the eyes of even the most hardened veteran, or civilian, there to show their support.
After the horrors of war comes a more joyous piece which is tinged with pathos as those that were lost were also remembered in the subtle notes, Demobbed is poignant and powerful. Finally, to close off ‘The War Suite‘, there is To Have and To Hold, a sweeping piece that brings together two people who fell in love and were separated by war. It would have been easy for this piece to have slipped into some bucolic mire of florid notes, but it avoids that. Instead, it delivers a love theme that is tinged with the themes of the past. A grand last post to the loss of innocence but optimism for a happier future.
For many it would be hard to follow that suite with something to match it but telling the story of John’s love of a beautiful part of Italy which, by sheer coincidence, one of my closest friends happens to live in.
‘The Cerqueto Suite‘ might have a lighter emotional tone, but it still delivers quality and beauty, while making me wish that I could visit the place and drink a bottle or two of Montefalco Sagrantine wine with my friend.
Il Gran Sasso All’alba (The Gran Sasso At Dawn). As someone who has visited Italy quite a few times to me church bells echoing in the silence seem to capture the countryside and the ensuing orchestra and flute are in perfect harmony to portray the lazy and easy going start to the day. Il Museo (The Museum) features plenty of instruments that sound wonderful but sadly I can’t identify. It sounds like he has raided a museum to form this orchestra, but just because the instruments might be old doesn’t mean it isn’t wonderful. I could easily imagine this in a Zeffirelli version of a Shakespeare play.
Based on a local nativity La Capannna (The Stable) captures a delicate peace borne out of the love of the subject matter. The flute playing here is exquisite. Next up is a journey into an Italian version of somewhere most of us will be familiar with. (Albeit, some more than others). Il Bar (The Bar), but there are no drunken musical fights or chants at a televised football match. Instead it conveys a community meeting place to enjoy the dolce vita. Uplifting music that, once again, evidences what a skilled flautist John is.
According to the press release, La Fontana Delle Pecore (The Sheep Fountain) has been, for centuries, a watering place for the sheep which are so central to village life. But that is not easy to convey in music, hence my mentioning it. But knowing that fact it becomes easy to close your eyes and imagine the heat on your face as you doze in a nearby field.
As I am far from being an expert, I had to look up the saint behind the track, La Chiesa Di Santa Reparata (The Church Of Saint Reparata). Martyred for her faith in Isreal, or Palestine as the Romans renamed it, and adopted by a small town in Italy to be their protector. Delicate and gentle, this is a piece that could take you into a comfort zone you didn’t even know existed. As if to close a musical circle the church bells tell people that it is time to stop the labours in the fields and let their bodies and minds rest. Il Gran Sasso Al Crepuscolo (The Gran Sasso At Dusk) is another wonderfully relaxing pieces of music and the flute’s timbre adds to the delicacy.
Yes, I know, you can ask me, ‘Is it Prog?’ and the answer is a no. But if many other prog musicians can go into classical territory and be acknowledged and respected for it then I will stand up and argue that John Hackett deserves the same accolades.
As for the style, I must admit that ‘The War Suite‘ made me think of the late romantic musical period that was prevalent between the two World Wars and wouldn’t be out of place amongst works by Frank Bridge, Arnold Bax or Vaughan-Williams. While ‘The Cerqueto Suite‘ made me think of Spain’s Rodrigo or Italy’s Busoni. Admittedly the works of those composers might not be in many people’s music collection but that doesn’t stop them from being worth listening to, time and time again. Just like this album.
TRACK LISTING
– The War Suite
01. Country Dance (3:34)
02. Enlistment (3:17)
03. Estaminet (2:29)
04. Despair (3:12)
05. Where Poppies Grow (3:15)
06. Demobbed (4:07)
07. To Have and To Hold (3:16)
– The Cerqueto Suite
08. Il Gran Sasso All’alba (3:21)
09. Il Museo (4:56)
10. Il Bar (2:50)
11. La Fontana delle Pecore (3:14)
12. La Chiesa Di Santa Reparata (3:35)
13. Il Gran Sasso Al Crepuscolo (2:32)
Total Time – 43:38
MUSICIANS
John Hackett – Flute, Keyboards, Programming & Orchestral Arrangements
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Hacktrax
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 23rd October 2026
LINKS
John Hackett – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp (Digital Album) | Web Store (Physical CD) | YouTube
