Search - Harold Budd & Eraldo Bernocchi :: Music for Fragments From the Inside

Chopin meets some guy with a Casio

A. Stribling | Alexandria, VA | 07/20/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"What we have here is basically a live recording of a series of piano works with intrusive treatments meant to accompany a video installation. Unlike his collaborations with Eno (whose treatments compliment Budd's piano), Bernocchi's polyrhythms, filters, and echo treatments get in the way of the music. Not having seen the video, I can't judge wether the imagery works with the collaboration. The sound mix also isn't up to par, as there is a lot of ambient noise from the audience in the first track. But judged on the merits of the performance, I can only recommend this to Budd fanatics. It's like watching a great movie with someone banging pans and dishes in the kitchen to the sound of a beatbox."

A good combination

Siruis | USA | 11/02/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I understand A.Stribling's review, from his point of view, but I do disagree. If one were looking specifically for recording of Budd's lovely atmospheric piano work, then there are other titles one should look at.



But I find, in this case, that Budd's lilting piano melodies and treatments, combined with Bernocchi's light but funky rhythms, work well to combat what can sometimes be boring in both artist's work...in the context of a 50 + minute sitting, I mean. I don't mean to imply that either are boring as a rule, just that it's rather nice to hear them in a context in which they can play a bit of 'tag team'.



I would recommend many of Budd's recordings, to be sure, including this one, which functions as both meditative and suitable for more focused listening as well.



"