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Eighth Blackbird - Strange Imaginary Animals Jennifer HIGDON (b.1962) Zaka (2003) [12:50] Gordon FITZELL (b.1968) violence (2001) [9:46] Steven MACKEY (b.1966) Indigenous Instruments (1989) [17:34] David M. GORDON Friction Systems (2002; rev. 2005) [14:37] Gordon FITZELL (b.1968) evanescence (2006) [11:18] Dennis DESANTIS (b.1973) strange imaginary remix (2006) [5:33] Eighth Blackbird: (Lisa Kaplan (piano); Matt Albert (violin, viola); Nicholas Photinos (cello); Matthew Duvall (percussion); Michael J Macafferi (clarinet); Molly Alicia Barth (flute)) rec. Ball State University, 15-18 August 2005. DDD CEDILLE CDR 90000 094 [72:00]

Eighth Blackbird have been playing together since 1996 and by their 'fruit' you know that they are a well integrated group. This grab-bag of modern pieces dating 1989-2006 reflects the vitality and variety embraced by this enterprising group of musicians. Jennifer Higdon's Zaka is a fantastic sprint full of irresistible Stravinskian energy and rhythmic drive. Gordon Fitzell's Violence is more brusquely modern with Pendereckian wails and shuddering tremors and sighs all encased in a shrouded dream of violence presented in a recording of stunning immediacy.  Stephen Mackey's Indigenous Instruments is in three movements where all the other pieces are in single spans. Mackey is closer to Fitzell than Higdon but there is some of vital grammar to the piece which is dominated by fragmentation, reiteration of motifs and a panoply of Daliesque melting as well as grumbling, rumbling and chittering. The second movement is more placid rather than rattling with activity.  The finale is engaging with jazzy little interjections and hints of minimalist germs as well as chants and chatters in Stravinskian echoes that find their origin in the Symphonies of Wind Instruments but with cooler romantic streams casting benediction from Coplandesque pastures. David Gordon's Friction Systems which starts and ends with the brawling of machines, melts centrally into a dark-realmed refraction of the Dies Irae. This is dark and fascinating stuff that is well worth hearing. Fitzell has the honour of a second piece. Evanescence is alive with electronic contrivances and effects as well as the 'natural voices' of the instruments. It ends with the emulation of an electronic alarm.  Finally we have Strange Imaginary Remix by Dennis DeSantis with clipped synthesised electronic sounds and samples, plunking, breathing, Hammond echoing and chiming in urgent patterns streaming across the page and the listener's attention. Parts of it sound funky; down and dirty. Modernistic stuff then, perhaps kicking against current trends towards tonality and legato melodics, but if this style is to your taste the DeSantis, Higdon, Gordon and parts of the Mackey are especially well worth hearing. Rob Barnett see also review by Dominy Clements Further details at: https://www.cedillerecords.org/094.html     Advertising Rates Visitor stats MusicWeb International has over 40,000 Classical CD reviews on offer Discs received Having a problem Donating? Gerard Hoffnung Concerts & The Bricklayer Story MusicWeb can now offer you discs from the following catalogues: Prices include postage There will be NO VAT Rises [Acte Préalable £13.50] [Arcodiva £12.00] [Avie from £6.25] [British Music Society £12.00] [CDACCORD from £13.50 ] [ClassicO £12.50] [Hallé from £11] [Heritage £10] [Hortus £14.99 ] [Lyrita ONLY £11.75 ] [Nimbus Special prices] [Northern Flowers £13.50] [REDCLIFFE £11 ] [Sheva £11] [Tactus £11.50 ] [Talent from £12.00 ] [Toccata Classics £10.50 ] Musicweb Special Offers Monthly Best Buys   New Releases New Releases   MusicWeb sells the Polish catalogue CDAccord £10.50 post free W-W MusicWeb sells the Arcodiva catalogue £12.00 post free W-W £11.75 post-free world- wide     Google Ads - for information about privacy matters, click here.  Amazon Musicweb International is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

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