Buriedtreasure
David Lang these broken wings
Eighth Blackbird
Cédille CDR90000195
The David work and Passacaille lyrical, is Lang’s slow-moving almost chamber of a chorale, extremely but alarming with and increasingly distressing interruptions from the percussionist. It feels like two worlds colliding and you’re never quite sure how it’s going to play out. This album is wonderful; it’s beautifully captured and very thought-provoking.
Andy Akiho Prospects of a Misplaced Year
The Knights, et al
National Sawdust NS-017CD
Andy remarkable who manages is a really composer to do a very rare trick, which is to have a genuinely functional meld of influences – he has a huge love and knowledge of Bach, in particular – and yet he’s a steel pan virtuoso. His soundworld is just so captivating; there’s a prepared piano in this piece and the whole ensemble is just fantastic. This music speaks to me; it’s very groovy, but there’s this undercurrent of great strength and dignity.
Sarah Kirkland Snider Mass for the Endangered – Sanctus-benedictus
Gallicantus/gabriel Nonesuch 75597920055 I’ve some Crouch known time Sarah and this for appears kind of magnum to be some opus for her. It’s very sensitive, beautiful and extremely tonal, but with incredibly expansive harmonies. There’s an influence from early music and the stillness and pureness of tone is amazing. This piece splices elements of the Catholic mass with a contemporary libretto and also concern for the environment, animals and nature. The Sanctus was released in advance of the album and I find it deeply affecting.
Colin Currie’s recording of Kalevi Aho’s Sieidi is out on BIS this month