Category Archives: Modern Composition
Macie Stewart ~ When the Distance Is Blue
“The world is blue at its edges and in its depths,” writes Rebecca Solnit in the first of four elaborate, interconnected essays, each titled “The Distance of Blue,” collected in A Field Guide to Getting Lost. She writes of the
Macie Stewart ~ When the Distance Is Blue
“The world is blue at its edges and in its depths,” writes Rebecca Solnit in the first of four elaborate, interconnected essays, each titled “The Distance of Blue,” collected in A Field Guide to Getting Lost. She writes of the
Halvcirkel & Anders Lauge Meldgaard ~ Spirit
Spirit reunites Copenhagen composer Anders Lauge Meldgaard with string trio Halvcirkel, following the År & Dag collaboration Fragment 94. But something’s a little different this time; violinist Pernille Kristiansen is on parental leave (congratulations!) and Meldgaard is stepping up on New Ondomo, billed
Halvcirkel & Anders Lauge Meldgaard ~ Spirit
Spirit reunites Copenhagen composer Anders Lauge Meldgaard with string trio Halvcirkel, following the År & Dag collaboration Fragment 94. But something’s a little different this time; violinist Pernille Kristiansen is on parental leave (congratulations!) and Meldgaard is stepping up on New Ondomo, billed
Gellért Szabó’s Ideal Orchestra ~ Live at Berghain
Words to describe Live at Berghain: pummeling, overwhelming, emotional. And yet also: tender, restrained, thoughtful. The cover image suggests desolation and loss, the track titles religion, war, heroism. How can a set be all these things at once? The one-hour concert from
Gellért Szabó’s Ideal Orchestra ~ Live at Berghain
Words to describe Live at Berghain: pummeling, overwhelming, emotional. And yet also: tender, restrained, thoughtful. The cover image suggests desolation and loss, the track titles religion, war, heroism. How can a set be all these things at once? The one-hour concert from
Kronos Quartet & Mary Kouyoumdjian ~ WITNESS
We last encountered Mary Kouyoumdjian with 2 Suitcases, which told the story of a couple fleeing the Lebanese Civil War. The subject is greatly expanded on WITNESS, which pairs the composer with Kronos Quartet. We consider this a major work: startlingly relevant, meticulously researched
Kronos Quartet & Mary Kouyoumdjian ~ WITNESS
We last encountered Mary Kouyoumdjian with 2 Suitcases, which told the story of a couple fleeing the Lebanese Civil War. The subject is greatly expanded on WITNESS, which pairs the composer with Kronos Quartet. We consider this a major work: startlingly relevant, meticulously researched
Lara Somogyi + Jean-Michel Blais ~ Désert
Désert was born in Joshua Tree, California as a series of improvisations between harpist Lara Somogyi and pianist-composer Jean-Michel Blais. Personifying the cover photo, the album reminds listeners that there is life in the desert, springing from the hardscrabble ground.
Lara Somogyi + Jean-Michel Blais ~ Désert
Désert was born in Joshua Tree, California as a series of improvisations between harpist Lara Somogyi and pianist-composer Jean-Michel Blais. Personifying the cover photo, the album reminds listeners that there is life in the desert, springing from the hardscrabble ground.
Gabríel Ólafs ~ Polar / Polar: Traveler’s Log
There are two distinct ways to experience the world of Gabríel Ólafs‘ Polar. One may enjoy the album as an instrumental suite, or as a narrated journey. Each offers its own unique pleasures. While the title gives the impression that the
Gabríel Ólafs ~ Polar / Polar: Traveler’s Log
There are two distinct ways to experience the world of Gabríel Ólafs‘ Polar. One may enjoy the album as an instrumental suite, or as a narrated journey. Each offers its own unique pleasures. While the title gives the impression that the
Guy Buttery ~ Orchestrations
It would be difficult to choose the most appealing aspect of Guy Buttery‘s Orchestrations. Is it the fact that a tree is planted for every purchase? Is it the international flavor of the 17 collaborators, who hail from ten different countries?
Guy Buttery ~ Orchestrations
It would be difficult to choose the most appealing aspect of Guy Buttery‘s Orchestrations. Is it the fact that a tree is planted for every purchase? Is it the international flavor of the 17 collaborators, who hail from ten different countries?
As Many As Possible ~ The Stars
The release of The Stars gives us the opportunity to listen to the four-EP discography of John Anthony McDowell, who records as As Many As Possible and now has enough tracks to equal an album. The artist has been making great
As Many As Possible ~ The Stars
The release of The Stars gives us the opportunity to listen to the four-EP discography of John Anthony McDowell, who records as As Many As Possible and now has enough tracks to equal an album. The artist has been making great
a closer listen 