Ana-Maria Avram and Iancu Dumitrescu were a husband-and-wife duo renowned in the spectralism genre. Avram passed away suddenly in 2017, but her body of work continues to be performed regularly and is well-documented, as evidenced by this release. Dumitrescu remains active as a composer and, from the latest recordings I Continue Reading
Contemporary Classical
Duo Noire – Night Triptych
Thomas Flippin and Christopher Mallett are Duo Noire, who perform astounding guitar duets. From their Bandcamp site: “Duo Noire’s playing throughout is virtuosic, sensitive, and calibrated beautifully to the style of each work. “Night Triptych” contributes an hour’s worth of important new music into the repertoire, presenting works that will Continue Reading
Colin Stetson – SORROW – a reimagining of Gorecki’s 3rd Symphony
There is something about the contrabass clarinet that is achingly sad to hear. American-Canadian composer Colin Stetson has an already impressive body of work, but his interpretation of Henryk Górecki’s most iconic composition is something else to behold. As he states on his Bandcamp site: “The concept was simple, and Continue Reading
Adrián Demoč / Apartment House – Žiadba
Another Timbre is a record label based in Sheffield, England, known for producing high-quality experimental and modern classical music. This particular release features Slovak composer Adrián Demoč and is performed by the ensemble Apartment House. While only two tracks are available for listening, both are dense and calming compositions.
Giorgi Koberidze – Forests, Tales, Cities, Forests
Now that the chaos of moving is settling down, I can finally take the time to listen to music properly again. My first proper listening session here in Tbilisi features a Georgian composer named Giorgi Koberidze. His style reminds me of Pascal Comelade—charmingly quirky yet filled with elements of electroacoustic Continue Reading
Yann Tiersen – Ker al Loch (Four Ways) EP
Not a single in the traditional sense, Yann Tiersen’s Ker al Loch (Four Ways) is a contemplative solo piano work that fits in well with his back catalog of contemporary classical music and soundtrack work. The gem of the EP for me was the track 11 5 18. 1 12. Continue Reading
Ahmed Essyad – Moroccan Electroacoustic Music
From the ever-magnificent Sub Rosa Label: “Composer Ahmed Essyad was born in Salé, Morocco, in 1938. After studying music at the Rabat Conservatoire (Morocco) he moved to Paris in 1962, where he became a student of Max Deutsch and, later, his assistant. Trained in the avant-garde practices of Western musical Continue Reading
Steve Layton – Introspection
Our dear friend Steve Layton’s latest work is a collection of minimalist music, including the first work, Gospodi pomiluj (Lord have mercy) which has a, dare I say it, holy feel to it. I owe Steve a great debt for introducing me to many modern classical musicians through his website, Continue Reading
Brooklyn Rider – The Wanderer: Live From Paliesius, Lithuania
Brooklyn Rider are one of America’s best contemporary classical music quartets and they simply don’t receive the exposure they so richly deserve. In this album, the first six tracks are dedicated to modern composers like Osvaldo Golijov from Argentina and Gonzalo Grau, who hails from Venezuela. Both come from a Continue Reading
Passepartout Duo – Argot
My, this is a lovely release. Passepartout Duo manage to balance modern classical music with a minimal post-rock sound without the “rock” part. It’s exquisite listening, especially for those who like minimalist music. Think of Arvo Pärt collaborating with Sigur Rós, and this might give you an idea of what Continue Reading