Tag Archives: Classical

Anna Meredith – Varmints

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Experimental electro which dabbles in a variety of styles and compositional approaches.

Moods

Creative, is there a Julliard for electro? Anna Meredith should probably be the dean

Thoughts

There's an unpolished approach here that appeals to me; things aren't perfect. It's got a punk-like intensity as art that demands attention. A lot of musicians seem to be confirming to this mood-muzak style and Varmints fights that.

Compositionally rooted in prog rock and classical moments, I struggle with how to describe this. That's a good thing as its succeeds in its ambitions.

Need to look further into her catalog.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Anna-Meredith-Varmints/release/8205358

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vajhs2wBeCU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMLXiNfxdI8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4F2_cWk8cY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_MO6fL6D7M

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Anna Meredith – Varmints

Description: Album Review of Anna Meredith – Varmints


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Boxhead Ensemble – Quartets

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

effect-laden modern classical

Moods

Cerebral

Thoughts

I can't tell if it's because I listened to this with ear buds or if it's recorded in a certain way but it felt very much 'in my head'. These tracks have space and build tension at times as well as create feelings of intimacy. Reminds me of an indie version of the Kronos quartet.

On second listen I was especially bored, just OK.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Boxhead-Ensemble-Quartets/release/198661

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Boxhead Ensemble – Quartets

Description: Album Review of Boxhead Ensemble – Quartets


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Gavin Bryars – Allegresco / Alaric I or II / Three Elegies

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Contemporary classical, a group of clarinets

Moods

Contemplative, rich

Thoughts

I believe this is a compilation and each piece should be considered individually:

  • allegrasco is pretty good
  • alaric I ou II is a little slow which is effectively just a boring solo
  • three elegies is the highlight which features three pieces building with repetition, a tactic only found in modern compositions. Its best displayed in part 3 where a feeling of conclusion is reached. Incorporating more and more of the orchestra.

I'll likely seek out his more regarded compositions in the future but three elegies is worth a listen for the modern classical fan.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Gavin-Bryars-Allegresco-Alaric-I-or-II-Three-Elegies/release/6525989

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Gavin Bryars – Allegresco / Alaric I or II / Three Elegies

Description: Album Review of Gavin Bryars – Allegresco / Alaric I or II / Three Elegies


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Pauline Oliveros – The Roots Of The Moment

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

an accordian being drawn out over an hour

Moods

A strange horror soundtrack

Thoughts

I guess there's something here. Definitely different. Feel like the limits of avant-garde are stretched to a place I'm not interested in going.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Pauline-Oliveros-The-Roots-Of-The-Moment/release/2853717

Listen!

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Pauline Oliveros – The Roots Of The Moment

Description: Album Review of Pauline Oliveros – The Roots Of The Moment


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Johann Sebastian Bach,Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

Solo piano sonatas

Moods

Perfect

Thoughts

I won't try and review this, there's enough written about it. However I will say per Mark Richardson's suggestion: the Bach Glenn Gould variations are two albums that must be heard in any piano lovers life.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Bach-Glenn-Gould-The-Goldberg-Variations/release/8788672

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpsfhTxo5yw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2YMSt3yfko

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Johann Sebastian Bach,Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations

Description: Album Review of Johann Sebastian Bach,Glenn Gould – The Goldberg Variations


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?
Deep brooding sax laid on top of repetitive songs.

Moods
David Lynch

Thoughts
Colin Stetson is an impressive player. His distinct approach to the sax utilizing circular breathing and tiny microphones creates sounds and textures that go beyond a typical saxophone; like the opening and closing of flaps and squawking dissonance.

These qualities don’t always make-up for the loose songwriting and his albums kind of feel like he’s just wanking off (felt this way when I saw him live too).

Ultimately it’s hard to deny the effectiveness of the textures he creates and those interested in experimental dark jazz should check him out. Stetson has a vision he’s able to perfectly articulate and in that way he’s a master at his craft.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Colin-Stetson-All-This-I-Do-For-Glory/release/10212933

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srBkjdjvoJg



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Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory

Description: Album Review of Colin Stetson – All This I Do For Glory


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Terry Riley,Don Cherry,Karl Berger – Köln – February 23, 1975

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?
Spiritual organ and trumpet

Thoughts
A patient but effective piece of minimal spiritual jazz. Cherry’s trumpet playing is in top form with expansive but delicate solos (interesting in this context as I associate him with avant garde dissonance). Descending moonshine dervishes is the highlight as the two seem most in sync with Riley’s organ solos building into tasteful melodic lines that cherry tastefully solos over.

I heard this on the YouTube version which I think is incorrect. Sunrise of the planetary collective sees Riley playing solo on a more electric keyboard that provides an ominous tone. Koln improv falls somewhere in the middle with cherry returning but the keys continuing in their electric sound. Less spiritual, more jazz.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Terry-Riley-Don-Cherry-Karl-Berger-K%C3%B6ln-February-23-1975/release/8692739

Listen!

Youtube

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Terry Riley,Don Cherry,Karl Berger – Köln – February 23, 1975

Description: Album Review of Terry Riley,Don Cherry,Karl Berger – Köln – February 23, 1975


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Jóhann Jóhannsson – Englabörn & Variations

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

What’s it sound like?

Small classical string ensemble with modern electronic elements.

Thoughts

Masterful… this might be a ‘5’ in time.

Tracks typically unfold through repetition that’s effective at building tension. As it’s structured like a soundtrack this repetition becomes a drag at times. But the breaks from the repetitive songs cover a range of emotion from high joy on “eg heyroi allt an pess ao hlusta”, to the modern “odi et amo” with it’s synthetic voice like on oh Superman.

Fantastic

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/J%C3%B3hann-J%C3%B3hannsson-Englab%C3%B6rn-Variations/release/11763515

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hFlsR_y2t4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdfdN4uAdFY
Spotify