Search - Iannis Xenakis, Charles Zachary Bornstein, ST-X Ensemble Xenakis USA :: Xenakis: Ensemble Music 1

Sub-par performance of Rebonds

Steward Willons | Illinois | 10/11/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I found this recording to be fairly good with the exception of Robert McEwan's performance of Rebonds. Having performed the work myself, I feel compelled to comment on his realization. There are a number of incorrect rhythms in part A. It's remarkable that this slipped by without notice. I'm sure McEwan is an excellent percussionist, so I have no idea why he plays some of the things that he does. The biggest offender is his 2 against 3 feel. This is a fairly simple and straightforward polyrhythm common to most all musicians. The 2 against 3 figure is prominent in the first two pages of the work and each time, it is inexplicably rendered incorrect. I've compared it four other recordings, the score, and my own performance none of which make this same mistake.



Aside from some rhythmical errors are the tempos. Yes, this is a very difficult work, but the tempos are definitely on the slow side. Compare this with one of Steven Schick's many recordings and this will sound positively lethargic. If you're looking for an excellent performance of Rebonds, look no further than Schick's CD, Drumming in the Dark or the forthcoming Complete Percussion Music of Iannis Xenakis, also by Schick.



I'm saying this mostly for the percussionist who is looking for a good recording of Rebonds to use as a reference. Don't make the same mistake I did by purchasing this for Rebonds alone. The rest of the works are interesting, but not among my favorite Xenakis chamber music. Plekto is the highlight here rendered with power and precision. Eonta is definitely a good performance, but again, not one of my favorite works.



My rating in no way reflects my opinions on Xenakis. I think he's one of the most important composers of the twentieth century and I jump at the chance to perform his music every chance I get. Enjoy the ensemble works, but don't buy this for the Rebonds performance."