Originally performed as a live accompaniment for a 1995 theater-dance production about the life of painter Egon Schiele, this is the both the exception to the Rachel's rule and their defining moment. Though they are normal... more »ly a three-headed, multiperson new-music and classical ensemble centered around Jason Noble (ex-Rodan), Christian Frederickson, and Rachel Grimes, this suite was written entirely by Grimes and performed by Grimes (on piano), Frederickson (viola), and cellist Wendy Doyle. As always, the music (not to mention the letter-pressed packaging) is spellbinding; the fact that this is classical music by--and for--people who grew up on indie rock in no way diminishes it, nor does it make the music too low-brow for those with a classical background. For a more complete picture of what the entire Rachel's ensemble is capable of, both Handwriting and The Sea and the Bells are recommended. --Randy Silver« less
Originally performed as a live accompaniment for a 1995 theater-dance production about the life of painter Egon Schiele, this is the both the exception to the Rachel's rule and their defining moment. Though they are normally a three-headed, multiperson new-music and classical ensemble centered around Jason Noble (ex-Rodan), Christian Frederickson, and Rachel Grimes, this suite was written entirely by Grimes and performed by Grimes (on piano), Frederickson (viola), and cellist Wendy Doyle. As always, the music (not to mention the letter-pressed packaging) is spellbinding; the fact that this is classical music by--and for--people who grew up on indie rock in no way diminishes it, nor does it make the music too low-brow for those with a classical background. For a more complete picture of what the entire Rachel's ensemble is capable of, both Handwriting and The Sea and the Bells are recommended. --Randy Silver
"It is rare that an instrumental album grabs and holds my attention so strongly. Music for Egon Schiele was a gift from an old friend on my twentieth birthday last year. It was raining when I picked up the mail. The second it spun, I was lost in the deepness of a cello and the compassion of a piano. I remember riding the bus to class with headphones that day as tears began to stream down my cheeks. The same emotions once brought forth by nostalgia or love emerged shockingly from this music. There is nothing like this album; I would reccommend it to anyone with a pulse. I give it a thousand stars. I've never heard any of the other albums by Rachel's completely; Systems/ Layers seems more experimental, the Sea and the Bells sounds very much like this one only softer and more seabound, Handwriting is up next. Here lies some true talent and beauty."
Inspiring
Aage Nielsen | Boise, Idaho United States | 05/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The simplicity and warmth from the piano/viola/cello trio configuration on Music for Egon Schiele set this album apart from the other Rachel's recordings. As on their other albums, they compose their own material and play beautifully. I am part of a bass clarinet/viola duo that idolizes this group and we admire any chamber group that can get filed in the indie rock section. Music for Egon Schiele is our (mutually) favorite album. One of my former bass clarinet students (really into indie rock) turned me on to Rachel's and I am forever grateful."
The Musical Voice of Egon Schiele's Art
Aage Nielsen | 08/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is a repetitive, hypnotic quality to this music written in minor keys. Each beat is a pulse that matches the length of Schiele's calligraphic draftsmanship--just trace (while listening) around one of his drawings to see what I mean. The pathos of his work is equally expressed in the music and reflects, to me, at least, the sadness of his struggle and the composer's sympathy with his unfortunate premature death. Yet, for different reasons, both artists have succeeded. Too bad there's no video of the dance to accompany this fine musical offering."
Poetic, visual and powerful.
Jeeyoon Ahn | Seoul, South Korea | 07/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The whole album is a masterpiece; it flows so naturally and so beautifully like a musical narrative. It is so powerful that it creates mental landscapes in my mind which are so visual that they are almost tangible. The melody is so charming yet so agonizingly painful; and this dichotomy is a very true reflection of Egon Schiele and his art works. I would say that the author of the music had a very accurate and piercing insight into the subject matter and delivered an amazing musical interpretation on it. Perhaps this is a little far fetched, but to me, this music is as soul-searching and sensual as a Herman Hesse novel and, also a little bit like that animation AeonFlux, just in terms of how much it forces you to focus on one of your senses. AeonFlux forces you to open your eyes, but Music for Egon Schile forces you to open your ears. And strangely, it also feels as if this very melodious music is giving me a taste and feel of "silence" which is quite paradoxical. The quality of performance and recording are both impeccable. There is not one bit I would change about this CD; it is perfect, it is absolute, it is true to itself. If you work alone at night quite often, this music will keep you awake far better than most techno's such as Prodigy or Chemical Brothers. It is just that intense and potent. Personally this music helps me to focus on my innerself. It takes me into that very private, personal and intimate space inside. It is poetic, lyrical, cerebral and sensual. It is a work of a true genius."
Beautiful music
LCB | 03/25/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"the rachel's albums are gorgeous. i just wanted to add in a comment on the similarities to other classical composers, which i'm kind of surprised nobody has mentioned, in user comments or in reviews i've read of their stuff. just a random list of music i hear similarities to: philip glass and other minimalist composers; turn-of-the-century impressionist/early modern european folks (ravel, satie, etc - it has a very french/latin/eastern european sound to it); and michael nyman, specifically his music for the piano (don't really know his other work). any other classical music fans out there? i enjoy rachel's music immensely; i just can't help but wonder if it's brilliant or derivative (or perhaps both). (there are times when i hear what i'm sure are exact chord progressions out of some of glass' most devastatingly beautiful works...)"