Search - Jose Maceda, Ramón P. Santos, Steed Cowart :: José Maceda: Drone and Melody

Jose Maceda's Unique Vision Continues to Shine on Tzadik

M. Cimino | SF | 03/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jose Maceda's second release on Tzadik picks up where the incredible "Gongs & Bamboos" left off. The opening piece, "STRATA" (which could easily be included on "Gongs...") is scorded for buzzers, sticks, gongs, flutes, celli, & guitars - and the piece sounds as unique as the instrumentation itself. The flutes, celli & guitars float above the wash of buzzers, sticks, & gongs. Here is what the composer has to say about the function of the Western instruments in the opening piece, "Flutes, celli, & guitars construct other layers treated without hierarchy. Individual pitches are meaningless. They move independently of eachother."



The second piece "SUJEICHON" is scored for four pianos and described as "Korean Court Music." Unfortunatley I am not familiar with Korean court music, but as a casual lister of music I can tell you the piece is very percussive in nature and engaging throughout its 14 minute construct.



Finally, there is "MUSIC FOR 2 PIANOS & 4 PERCUSSION GRPS". This piece is the perfect conclusion to this CD. I don't really know how do do it justice, so here is a quick quote from the linear notes, "Intermediate pitches of four percussion groups arrange themselves in patches & lines of colour...an opposition to the two pianos' freely-vibrating strings, ascending fifths and stationary octaves..."



Run, don't walk to pick up this release!

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