The Ligeti Project II
Berliner Philharmoniker, Nott
This, Volume 2 in an ongoing series, is probably the best thing done for modern music since Robert Craft recorded the complete works of Arnold Schoenberg for Columbia in the 1960s. György Ligeti’s sonically startling and mind-bending orchestral work Atmosphères is familiar from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Overlooked but even more impressive is the tone poem Lontano (Far Away), which captures a mystical feeling of remoteness—not only from distant worlds but also from musical history. Subtle, déja vù reminiscences of Claude Debussy’s harmonies, or the classical syntax in general, are quietly viewed as if they were a cryptic, ancient jungle ruin. Start with the young Ligeti’s Concert Romanesc (Romanian Concerto), romantic, lyrical and fiery music that brings to mind George Enesco’s Romanian Rhapsodies.
More Music » In the Mix - Music
Kenny Brown
Slide guitarist Kenny Brown, who hits town Wednesday as part of the Fat Possum Juke Joint Caravan, plays like one mean Delta throwback.
Published on 05.20.04
The Hangmen
Veteran Los Angeles band the Hangmen, who play two shows in Sactown this week, here sound closer to Poison than to punk.
Published on 05.20.04
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new album is infused with melancholy.
Published on 05.13.04
Roberta Chevrette
Local folkie Roberta Chevrette, who hosts the Fox & Goose’s Monday-night open-mic, makes a decent modern folkie CD.
Published on 05.13.04
Onelinedrawing
Onetime local emo progenitor Jonah Matranga makes a big-sounding realization of his promise, once sketched out on four-track demos.
Published on 05.13.04