GlerAkur is the monicker of Icelandic composer Elvar Geir Sævarsson, who also happens to the sound engineer for the National Theater of Iceland (Þjóðleikhúsið). The music sits comfortably between post-rock and ambient music with a cinematic feel to it.
Classical Music
[Music] Toàn – Histós Lusis
Toàn is a French sound designer based in England who has a wonderful gift for blending jazz, hip-hop, ambient, classical and avant-garde music into one very pleasant jumble.
[Music] Ezequiel Viñao – Beowulf: Scyld’s Burial – Paul Hillier
Ezequiel Viñao is an avant-garde composer originally hails from Argentina, but is now an American citizen based out of New York City.
This particular piece is performed by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, with Paul Hillier serving as conductor.
[Music] Scanner – Nomadic Concrete
I normally find tribute albums done hours after the death of someone to be ghastly and in poor taste, but Scanner does an honorable job paying homage to Pierre Henry.
[Music] Lalgudi Jayaraman and Amjadh Ali Khan, Jugalbandhi
https://youtube.com/watch?v=kgYVN5L3DJU%3Fversion%3D3
via lalgudi jayaraman and amjadh ali khan, jugalbandhi — The Hum Blog
From Bandcamp:
Often, when discussing my passion for Indian Classical music – attempting to offer entry into its remarkable traditions for others, I raise instrumentation. Particularly in my early explorations, this was a crucial vehicle for discovery.
By far the most well know instrument in the Indian Classical traditions, thanks in large part to the popularity and fame of Ravi Shankar, is the sitar, but, for this very reason – its presence in pop culture, it was an instrument which I almost exclusively avoided during my first years plumbing the depths. It was my quest for, and response to, other sounds, which illumined the path.
The two primary traditions of Indian Classical music – the Carnatic and the Hindustani, are among the oldest living traditions on the planet. Many of the ragas played today, date back thousands of years. While often difficult to discern – so much time and evolution having transpired, this music lays at the root of countless distinct cultural traditions fingering across the globe. It is the well from which so much springs, making the examination of its instruments a fascinating web.
[Music] Spooky Tooth & Pierre Henry – Offering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdCmvE0Vnbk
I am well aware that some of my friends and colleagues hate this song, considering it near the bottom of Pierre Henry’s musical canon. So be it.
The reason I’m featuring this tune, however, is for two reasons. First, it was my introduction to Henry’s work. I wasn’t much of a hard-rock guy, and Spooky Tooth didn’t hold a lot of interest for me, but seeing the record cover had me wondering what sort of racket these guys were making. Second, the concept of a rock/experimental mass, based on the Apostolic Christian model, left me intrigued.
I know that Henry’s fellow composer, Pierre Schaeffer, was a devout Roman Catholic, but I read nothing of Henry’s beliefs over the years. Still, it was a nice gesture, an interesting project, and a doorway to Pierre’s far more adventurous works.
[Music] Martin Hannett’s lost Homage to Delia Derbyshire finally released on vinyl
Another debt of thanks is owed to the good Al Clark, who posted this treasure on another account. Martin Hannett is known as the producer who brought the best out of so many bands from Factory Records. He put together this paean to English musique concrete composer Delia Derbyshire, who did wonders for the BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop from the 1960s to about 2000.
[Music] Pierre Henry Has Died
Pierre Henry, legendary pioneer in the field of musique concrète, passed away today. He was 89.
More to come on his passing shortly.
[Music] Burkina Electric – Mdolé
Burkina Electric are a very interesting Burkinabé avant-pop featuring drummer, percussionist and composer Lukas Ligeti. Burkina Faso must have quite a few hidden treasures worth hunting for.
[Music Podcast] Modern Classical Music Of the USSR
Slovakia’s Adam Kvasnica produces my favorite serious of podcasts. He’s a crate diver par excellence. Consider following him if you want to be exposed to all sorts of strange finds.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 