Category Archives: Modern Composition
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
Jim Copperthwaite ~ Ballroom Ghosts
With 24 IMDb listings to his credit, it’s no surprise that Jim Copperthwaite‘s debut album sounds like a soundtrack. The question is, what kind of soundtrack? Ballroom Ghosts is the score to a new home, an elegy to empty spaces and a love
Jim Copperthwaite ~ Ballroom Ghosts
With 24 IMDb listings to his credit, it’s no surprise that Jim Copperthwaite‘s debut album sounds like a soundtrack. The question is, what kind of soundtrack? Ballroom Ghosts is the score to a new home, an elegy to empty spaces and a love
Cicada ~ White Forest
Taiwanese ensemble Cicada has long been associated with water, from their most recorded track, “Over the Sea/Under the Water” to the album Coastland and its international extension, Ocean. On their new set they continue to move in this direction, their fluid playing an aural reflection
Cicada ~ White Forest
Taiwanese ensemble Cicada has long been associated with water, from their most recorded track, “Over the Sea/Under the Water” to the album Coastland and its international extension, Ocean. On their new set they continue to move in this direction, their fluid playing an aural reflection
Tatiana Alamartine ~ Searching
We tend to roll our eyes whenever we see Nils Frahm name-checked in a press release; but this time, the comparison rings true. Tatiana Alamartine is the real thing, and while Searching may be more “Ambre” than “Tristana”, her Bosendörfer pieces do share the
Tatiana Alamartine ~ Searching
We tend to roll our eyes whenever we see Nils Frahm name-checked in a press release; but this time, the comparison rings true. Tatiana Alamartine is the real thing, and while Searching may be more “Ambre” than “Tristana”, her Bosendörfer pieces do share the
Slow Meadow ~ Costero
The videos for “Brazos Fantasmas” and “Lamellophone and the Gulf of Mexico” focus on hands: hands upraised to catch the sun or the rain, hands holding and letting go, hands moving in time to the music. The impression is of
Slow Meadow ~ Costero
The videos for “Brazos Fantasmas” and “Lamellophone and the Gulf of Mexico” focus on hands: hands upraised to catch the sun or the rain, hands holding and letting go, hands moving in time to the music. The impression is of
a closer listen 