A gorgeous piece of minimalism with choir by former Sigur Rós multi-instrumentalist Kjartan Sveinsson, who is off working on a couple of new projects of his own.
Contemporary Classical
[Sample] Lubomyr Melnyk – The Six Day Moment
Today must be a great day for piano music, as it’s been on my mind. Lubomir Melnyk is a composer and pianist who hails from Ukraine (and now residing in Canada) who records for Erased Tapes. He’s a relatively new name to me, and certainly, after this sample, he’s worth exploring.
[Article] Notes and Music The words of Virgil Thomson, composer and critic
Algis Valiunas of The Weekly Standard writes on one of the most ‘American’ of composers, as well as an essayist par excellence, Virgil Thomson, who is rightfully remembered by those who love literary criticism, especially when it comes to the arts. His fame deserved to be spread to laymen as well.
[Podcast] ‘Queasy Listening 20150126’ by Cloudy Grey
Queasy Listening 20150126 by Cloudy Grey on Mixcloud
If you are a fan of post-Industrial avant-garde music, Cloudy Grey is going to be mandatory listening for you. Their ‘Queasy Listening’ series is an amazing walk back in time, and is doing a fine job hipping the kids to newer artists as well.
With so many amazing podcasts, it’s time to consider interviewing a few of these people for more exposure.
[Video] Chou Wen-Chung ( 周 文 中) – Yü Ko (1965)
It’s always wonderful to discover a composer or artist you missed out on. Chou Wen-Chung is a Chinese American composer who studied under Edgard Varèse and Otto Leuning, and his work is truly affected by Chinese culture, rather than a weak blending of Chinese and Western music.
Many thanks to Naoyoshi Kitamura, who originally posted this, and TheWelleszCompany, who hosts this video.
[Video] Arvo Pärt – Kanon Pokajanen
Today is Christmas Eve on the Julian Calendar, and one of the holiest days of the Eastern Orthodox calendar. The Nativity of Jesus (Christmas) is celebrated tomorrow, and though tonight is spent preparation for the great feast, I had enough time to drop two small gifts under this digital Christmas tree.
The first is the music of Arvo Pärt, a world-famous Estonian composer who is surely well-known to regular readers of this page. He is also a devout member of the Estonian Orthodox Church, and you can hear this influence in his compositions.
Gift two is the article attached to it. The author, Fr. Ivan Moody, happens to be a fine composer in his own right, and his works will soon me gracing these pages. He also happens to be an Orthodox priest, and the article is hosted by the Orthodox Christian Network, which can be read here.
For me, personally, it is the most wonderful thing in the world to wed two subjects I have a great passion for: Orthodoxy and the avant-garde. May you who partake have a wonderful Nativity.
Hristos se Rodi!
[Sample] Joseph Benzola – Collected Works: 2012-2014
Composer, pianist, percussionist and all-around good guy Joseph Benzola has been hiding quite a few treasures. He’s done the world a favor by releasing some of his sketches through his Bandcamp site.
[Video] Jóhann Jóhannsson – How We Left Fordlandia
Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson sends us off to dreamland with a cut from the album Fordlandia.
[Review] Santiago Fradejas – 16 Pieces for Electric Guitar & Electroacoustic Ensemble
16 Pieces for Electric Guitar & Electroacoustic Ensemble by Santiago Fradejas
Because there is so much incredible music coming out all the time, documenting it is becoming a bit of a nightmare. Thankfully, I’m subscribed to enough Facebook music groups to keep me abreast as to what new sounds are popping up.
One of the best new artists I’ve come across is a Chilean composer called Santiago Fradejas. He works comfortably in the fields of electroacoustic music, post-industrial soundscapes, drone, improv and contemporary classical. This particular album really highlights the wide range of genres he’s able to tackle.
Santiago’s work is worth seeking out. It’s my hope that he gets signed to a label who can properly promote him, and soon.
[Video] When – Death In The Blue Lake
Lars Pedersen (When) is a Norwegian post-Industrial/Avant-Progressive/Proto-Black Ambient composer whose work never really got its fair due. I actually came across his work in several progressive rock magazines, as well as the seminal experimental publication ‘Music From The Empty Quarter’ (RIP), who didn’t quite know what to make of his work. If he is still active and making music, I’m sure he’s taking advantage of the upgrades in technology. The raw material he had to work with was bleak, unnerving, and quite amazing.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 