John Tilbury, a prominent figure in contemporary, improvised, and experimental music, has released a four-disc set, 'At Home', on the Another Timbre label. The release coincides with Tilbury's decision to retire from music entirely.
The recordings for 'At Home' were made over eight years at Tilbury's home in Deal, Kent. Simon Reynell, founder of Another Timbre, began visiting and recording Tilbury after the pianist, then 82, decided to cease live appearances.
The collection features a diverse range of music, including works by friends from Tilbury's time with Cornelius Cardew's Scratch Orchestra, such as John Lely's 'Sycamore' and Dave Smith's 'Al Contrario'. It also includes archival recordings, like an improvisation with Sebastian Lexer from a 2005 concert, and more unusual contributions, such as a recording of Swiss dust particles combined with an inside-piano improvisation.
Tilbury was widely regarded as a leading interpreter of US composer Morton Feldman, whose influence is present in several works on the new set. Some pieces were specifically written for Tilbury's clavichord, with its unique tuning left to natural elements.