Category Archives: Modern Composition

For Varying Degrees of Winter

The title is taken from Lawrence English’s classic winter album, released in 2007.  The music comes from across the globe: ten artists, ten countries, ten new releases, each attempting to put their stamp on the season before it melts away.

For Varying Degrees of Winter

The title is taken from Lawrence English’s classic winter album, released in 2007.  The music comes from across the globe: ten artists, ten countries, ten new releases, each attempting to put their stamp on the season before it melts away.

Klangriket & Sjors Mans ~ The Amsterdam Sessions

As a website with writers in a minimum of three countries at any one time (it’s a bit like the designated survivor policy, we’re not allowed in the same place together), we’re great believers in international co-operation. The latest example

Klangriket & Sjors Mans ~ The Amsterdam Sessions

As a website with writers in a minimum of three countries at any one time (it’s a bit like the designated survivor policy, we’re not allowed in the same place together), we’re great believers in international co-operation. The latest example

Spindle Ensemble ~ BEA

  Once in a while, a band appears fully formed, as if they had grown to adulthood in the womb.  This is the case with Bristol’s Spindle Ensemble, which is part of the larger Bloom Collective.  The album is named after

Spindle Ensemble ~ BEA

  Once in a while, a band appears fully formed, as if they had grown to adulthood in the womb.  This is the case with Bristol’s Spindle Ensemble, which is part of the larger Bloom Collective.  The album is named after

Third Coast Percussion ~ Paddle to the Sea

First came Holling C. Holling’s beloved 1941 children’s book, in which a young boy carved a Native American figure and set him on a journey to the sea, from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.  25 years later, a

Third Coast Percussion ~ Paddle to the Sea

First came Holling C. Holling’s beloved 1941 children’s book, in which a young boy carved a Native American figure and set him on a journey to the sea, from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.  25 years later, a

Poppy Ackroyd ~ Resolve

From the opening seconds of “Paper”, one can hear something intriguing going on: clacks and taps, and soon other instruments as well.  On Resolve, Poppy Ackroyd continues to expand her compositional horizons, incorporating a host of collaborators while continuing to master multiple instruments

Poppy Ackroyd ~ Resolve

From the opening seconds of “Paper”, one can hear something intriguing going on: clacks and taps, and soon other instruments as well.  On Resolve, Poppy Ackroyd continues to expand her compositional horizons, incorporating a host of collaborators while continuing to master multiple instruments

Aaron Martin ~ A Room Now Empty

A Room Now Empty is a sequel of sorts to Day Has Ended, the concept of a day lengthened to that of a lifetime.  On the prior album, Aaron Martin teamed with Christoph Berg; here he records solo once more, playing everything from his

Aaron Martin ~ A Room Now Empty

A Room Now Empty is a sequel of sorts to Day Has Ended, the concept of a day lengthened to that of a lifetime.  On the prior album, Aaron Martin teamed with Christoph Berg; here he records solo once more, playing everything from his

Francis MacDonald ~ Hamilton Mausoleum Suite

Two things should be said upfront.  This album is about Hamilton, but not about that Hamilton; and it’s about a mausoleum, but it’s not morose.  Not that any expected rapping, but the title does imply the funereal.  A further surprise is that Francis

Francis MacDonald ~ Hamilton Mausoleum Suite

Two things should be said upfront.  This album is about Hamilton, but not about that Hamilton; and it’s about a mausoleum, but it’s not morose.  Not that any expected rapping, but the title does imply the funereal.  A further surprise is that Francis

ACL 2017 ~ Top Ten Modern Composition

Modern Composition was our hottest genre this year, with 28 albums nominated for only ten spots.  From solo piano to full orchestra, consonance to dissonance, giving up to going on, these picks represent a grand variety of composed sound.  Their

ACL 2017 ~ Top Ten Modern Composition

Modern Composition was our hottest genre this year, with 28 albums nominated for only ten spots.  From solo piano to full orchestra, consonance to dissonance, giving up to going on, these picks represent a grand variety of composed sound.  Their