Search - Stephen Scott :: Vikings Of The Sunrise: Fantasy On The Polynesian Star Navigators

Truly remarkable

Joshua Saulle | Yonkers, NY USA | 10/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stephen Scott and his Bowed Piano Ensemble performed part of this piece here at Brown University very recently, and I was totally blown away both by the music and of course by the unique methods the Ensemble is so expert in. It was an amazing visual and aural experience to see and hear this piece being played, watching the players crowded around the piano, their arms moving rhythmically creating a web of undulating filaments. It looked like a giant loom of some kind on which each performer was weaving the incredibly colorful and expressive music that filled the hall. People who are skeptical about contemporary or avant-garde music will find this music to be surprisingly accessible, fascinating, and yes, even enjoyable."

Not a gimmick...

Michael Maiman | San Mateo, CA United States | 05/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music stands on its own, apart from how it is produced (by several musicians plucking, tapping, and bowing the strings and other parts of the piano), and apart from the loose "theme" of oceanic exploration. The piece is not strictly produced to evoke images of what each segment is titled, as explained clearly by Stephen Scott in the accompanying notes. You need not have any concern that the bowed piano is a "gimmick" to crank out the sounds! The music is quite "accessible," that is, fairly tuneful, with a repetitive nature found in much modern music such as Philip Glass. The segments are cohesive in the manner of a symphony, or as if Scott is telling a story, which he is (hey, I'm writing as a jazz and classical fan, not as a musicologist). All this translates to: highly recommended. Five stars. I'm not kidding!"

New Music About The Old Age

Jon G. Jackson | Santa Rosa, CA | 06/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had a fortunate experience with this music. When the CD was originally released, I first heard a long portion of it on the radio, not knowing what the instrument was or how it was played. I was instantly fascinated! I was living in Hawaii at the time, and the odd thing was that I knew right away what the music was about. The slow, almost hypnotic motion of the ocean struck me in a visceral kind of way. And, near the end, as the sounds of birds are discovered! I swear, I could *smell* land at that point! When I bought the CD, I was more than impressed. The Bowed Piano Ensemble have essentially redefined the use of the piano...which is to say, it's not just a percussion instrument anymore (a hammer striking a string), but can be used in a variety of interesting ways. I'm reminded of the time I saw the Steve Reich Ensemble on tour when "Sextet" was first recorded. The use of a bow on the end of a metal xylophone key was something I'd never seen or heard before. I'm sure someone could probably point to earlier examples of these things (though it would be interesting if no one could). Whatever. The result here is a remarkable piece of music. HIGHLY recommended!"