Articles by Year: La Folia, 2014.

Atopos Survey 1. / Italian Vacation 11. / Piano Factory 12.

Although Atopos has been around for over a decade, I’ve only just discovered them. The emphasis is of course Italian, the sensibility suggesting various late-20th century Italians taking cues from European (Darmstadt) and American (Cage, Feldman, et al.) trends.

Atopos Survey 1. / Italian Vacation 11. / Piano Factory 12.

Although Atopos has been around for over a decade, I’ve only just discovered them. The emphasis is of course Italian, the sensibility suggesting various late-20th century Italians taking cues from European (Darmstadt) and American (Cage, Feldman, et al.) trends.

James Erber’s The “Traces” Cycle

My entry into this rewarding series came via a scenario I always enjoy – a highly evolved structure is interrogated, at first through hesitations and “mistakes,” and eventually falls apart.

James Erber’s The “Traces” Cycle

My entry into this rewarding series came via a scenario I always enjoy – a highly evolved structure is interrogated, at first through hesitations and “mistakes,” and eventually falls apart.

Concerto Concentrations 2.

Commissioned by Myers to commemorate his mother’s passing, McLean provides a particularly expressive tonal work, a welcome cross between Barber and John Adams… The Shostakovich arrangement is the biggest effort, difficult all around.

Concerto Concentrations 2.

Commissioned by Myers to commemorate his mother’s passing, McLean provides a particularly expressive tonal work, a welcome cross between Barber and John Adams… The Shostakovich arrangement is the biggest effort, difficult all around.

A Rare Gem from mode: The JACK Quartet Performs Helmut Lachenmann’s String Quartets

Helmut Lachenmann’s string quartets evolve, and always within the composer’s unique and uniquely challenging idiom, from disjunct near-stasis to something like a glimpse of the past.

A Rare Gem from mode: The JACK Quartet Performs Helmut Lachenmann’s String Quartets

Helmut Lachenmann’s string quartets evolve, and always within the composer’s unique and uniquely challenging idiom, from disjunct near-stasis to something like a glimpse of the past.

Sweet Blandishment

In music, as in all aspects of life, one must take the good with the bad.

Sweet Blandishment

In music, as in all aspects of life, one must take the good with the bad.

(Dis)Arrangements 3: Shostakovich Preludes

To accompany their Brandenburg Concerto release, Ensemble Caprice’s director arranged six preludes and one fugue from Op. 87 in complementary instrumentation. It doesn’t sound like Shostakovich – more like polytonal Rameau.

(Dis)Arrangements 3: Shostakovich Preludes

To accompany their Brandenburg Concerto release, Ensemble Caprice’s director arranged six preludes and one fugue from Op. 87 in complementary instrumentation. It doesn’t sound like Shostakovich – more like polytonal Rameau.

Lying down with Stax phones 2.

Stephen Whittington’s title must refer to Satie’s musique d’ameublement and Eno’s Music for Airports, but he turns them inside out – an exploration of inner states.

Lying down with Stax phones 2.

Stephen Whittington’s title must refer to Satie’s musique d’ameublement and Eno’s Music for Airports, but he turns them inside out – an exploration of inner states.

Used Bin Troll Tweets F.

A distinct nostalgic voice whose Concerto No. 4 idly reconstructs a lost Russia.

Used Bin Troll Tweets F.

A distinct nostalgic voice whose Concerto No. 4 idly reconstructs a lost Russia.

Mostly Symphonies 25.

Until recently, Cerha’s Spiegel was easier to see than to hear.

Mostly Symphonies 25.

Until recently, Cerha’s Spiegel was easier to see than to hear.

Snapshots: Miroslav Srnka

Piano concertos are experiencing a surge – and not merely from populist corners of the musical spectrum.

Snapshots: Miroslav Srnka

Piano concertos are experiencing a surge – and not merely from populist corners of the musical spectrum.

Concerto Concentrations 1.

Of course Bolcom’s Concerto Grosso for saxophone quartet and orchestra is going to be good.

Concerto Concentrations 1.

Of course Bolcom’s Concerto Grosso for saxophone quartet and orchestra is going to be good.

Lying down with Stax phones 1.

“Already in bed, lying on my back and wearing headphones” is my standard listening mode, hence my interest.

Lying down with Stax phones 1.

“Already in bed, lying on my back and wearing headphones” is my standard listening mode, hence my interest.