Bassist Stephan Crump Conjures an Optimistic Flow on ‘Slow Water’
Bassist and composer Stephan Crump’s ‘Slow Water’ is a reflection on the environment, using both New Music stalwarts and improvised jazz.
new music
And Somewhere in There, Sleep: An Interview with Synthesizer Master Todd Barton
The reissue of Todd Barton's 2003 album, Ro, finds the synthesizer master getting back to basic acoustic instrumentation and improvisation. In a word, the project was, he says, "Liberating."
William Brittelle’s Non-Religious ‘Spiritual America’
Composer William Brittelle's "electro-acoustic song cycle", Spiritual America, attempts to capture non-religious spirituality in musical form.
“It’s Not About Genre, It’s About Emotion”: Composer William Brittelle on Faith, Music, and Identity
Composer and New Amsterdam Records co-founder William Brittelle discusses his latest work, Spiritual America, with PopMatters and talks about faith, genre, and his genre-fluid electro-acoustic music.
Cory Smythe Merges Jazz and Classical on ‘Circulate Susanna’
Cory Smythe's Circulate Susanna is a mysterious meditation on rural America (and minstrel songs) as heard through the ears of a pianist with history in both new music and improvised music, featuring extended vocal technique and detuned guitar.
Aizuri Quartet’s ‘Blueprinting’ Is One the Best Contemporary Classical Debuts of the Year
The string quartet format is tried and true within classical music. However, there's something truly special about the Aizuri Quartet, something vivacious and energetic that makes their performances truly irresistible.
Old and New Worlds Meld on Esther Lamneck’s ‘Tárogató Constructions’
Woodwind virtuoso Esther Lamneck interacts with live electronics on her latest from Innova, Tárogató Constructions.
Marc Mellits and New Music Detroit Shred, Soothe, and Smolder on Their First Recorded Collaboration
The hippest composer in post-minimalism today, Marc Mellits, receives an excellent tribute from the superb contemporary music ensemble, New Music Detroit.
Sarah Cahill Honors Terry Riley in a Moving, Pristine Four-Disc Collection
Eighty Trips Around the Sun: Music by and for Terry Riley is a massive tribute in honor of the pioneering composer on his 80th birthday. A labor of love and admiration from Sarah Cahill, unquestionably one of the finest pianists of our age.
Los Angeles Percussion Quartet: Beyond
The Grammy-nominated modern music ensemble explores location and language on their latest release. Beyond is a striking and ambitious work in both intent and depth of material.