Search - David Borden :: Counter Point 1-4

Underrated and Interesting "Minimalism"

svf | 02/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Somewhere in the minimalist miasma of the beautiful and the mundane over the past 25 years or so, David Borden's remarkable music somehow got largely ignored. This is too bad, since here you will find creations of remarkable appeal, rhythmic and harmonic complexity, and (of course) beautiful counterpoint.Thanks to the small and creative label Cuneiform, this 3 CD series of the complete "Continuing Story" presents Borden's epic 12 part exploration of counterpoint and tonality through a modern lens, as performed mostly by synthesizers (with the some welcome live players on guitar, woodwinds, and voice).While the steady pulse and repetetive structures will be familiar to fans of Reich, Glass, Adams, Torke, etc., this music is always original and engaging: some parts are exhilarating 16th note workouts, others are more serene and pastoral. Do yourself a favor and listen to David Borden, one of the best and most underrated living composers.(NOTE: anyone fortunate enough to still own the old David Borden/Mother Mallard Cuneiform LPs knows that the 2-piano version of Part 2 is amazing stuff... would be great to have this on CD some day, along with more acoustic performances of Borden's music.)"

Much better than "Music In Twelve Parts"

Jason Merlo | Austin, TX USA | 03/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The closest music to which I can compare this CD (and the other 2 that follow) is "Music In Twelve Parts" by Philip Glass.



"The Continuing Story of Counterpoint" is repetitive, mathematical, and frenetic in the same manner, yet somehow doesn't get dull halfway through like the Glass work. I'm not knocking Glass, but the mood of Borden's work is generally happier and it just has more variety. Much like "Music In Twelve Parts," I always seem to discover something new with each listen.



Good stuff!"