Category Archives: Modern Composition
Stefan Christoff + David Parker ~ Wire Tones EP
Listen to “Shifting Skies,” the first track off the Wire Tones EP, a collaboration between David Parker on contrabass and Stefan Christoff on piano recently released by the Howl Arts collective. As with all of Christoff’s projects, Wire Tones is conceptually driven by
Stefan Christoff + David Parker ~ Wire Tones EP
Listen to “Shifting Skies,” the first track off the Wire Tones EP, a collaboration between David Parker on contrabass and Stefan Christoff on piano recently released by the Howl Arts collective. As with all of Christoff’s projects, Wire Tones is conceptually driven by
A Preserved Sound Trio
Krakow, Poland label Preserved Sound kicks off the new season with a trio of cold weather albums from piano and percussion duo Tess Said So, piano and electronic composer North Side Drive and multi-instrumentalist Richard Youngs. It’s hard not to notice the similarity between the
A Preserved Sound Trio
Krakow, Poland label Preserved Sound kicks off the new season with a trio of cold weather albums from piano and percussion duo Tess Said So, piano and electronic composer North Side Drive and multi-instrumentalist Richard Youngs. It’s hard not to notice the similarity between the
A Winged Victory for the Sullen ~ Atomos
Second albums may often be ‘difficult’, but sometimes artists under the unprecedented pressures of time and expectation will take flight. For Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Wiltzie, the situation was slightly different. Two years after the release of their critically acclaimed
A Winged Victory for the Sullen ~ Atomos
Second albums may often be ‘difficult’, but sometimes artists under the unprecedented pressures of time and expectation will take flight. For Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Wiltzie, the situation was slightly different. Two years after the release of their critically acclaimed
Inscape ~ American Aggregate
As the often misquoted William Congreve writes, “music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rock, or bend a knotted oak.” The music of the Inscape collective possesses such charms. The American heart has been bruised, hardened and knotted in
Inscape ~ American Aggregate
As the often misquoted William Congreve writes, “music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rock, or bend a knotted oak.” The music of the Inscape collective possesses such charms. The American heart has been bruised, hardened and knotted in
Death Blues ~ Ensemble
We all wear masks. Some are masks of calm, meant to hide unrest. Some are forced smiles, meant to disguise resentment. We put on happy faces for the kids. We charge forward in battle, pretending to be brave. We apply
Death Blues ~ Ensemble
We all wear masks. Some are masks of calm, meant to hide unrest. Some are forced smiles, meant to disguise resentment. We put on happy faces for the kids. We charge forward in battle, pretending to be brave. We apply
Rain Drinkers ~ Wood Violet
The music of Wisconsin duo Rain Drinkers is intelligent and complex, difficult to categorize but easy to enjoy. A single track can range from pastoral ambience to cumulus drone to small orchestra. This is especially true on Wood Violet‘s 20-minute title track. Drum
Rain Drinkers ~ Wood Violet
The music of Wisconsin duo Rain Drinkers is intelligent and complex, difficult to categorize but easy to enjoy. A single track can range from pastoral ambience to cumulus drone to small orchestra. This is especially true on Wood Violet‘s 20-minute title track. Drum
wild Up ~ Feather & Stone
We review a lot of modern classical crossover at ACL, but this is the real deal: the type of composition that moves music forward. For evidence, look no further than the inclusion of Messiaen’s “oiseaux exotiques”, a piece that won’t
wild Up ~ Feather & Stone
We review a lot of modern classical crossover at ACL, but this is the real deal: the type of composition that moves music forward. For evidence, look no further than the inclusion of Messiaen’s “oiseaux exotiques”, a piece that won’t
Adrian Lane ~ The Answering Smile
Adrian Lane‘s second album for Poland’s Preserved Sound inspires a sense of admiration. The music is as thick as that of a small orchestra, yet Lane plays all of the instruments himself: bowed psaltery, mandolin, zither, violin, acoustic guitar and
Adrian Lane ~ The Answering Smile
Adrian Lane‘s second album for Poland’s Preserved Sound inspires a sense of admiration. The music is as thick as that of a small orchestra, yet Lane plays all of the instruments himself: bowed psaltery, mandolin, zither, violin, acoustic guitar and
a closer listen 