On a label like E’G Records, which featured some of the mightiest bands of the 1980s like Killing Joke, King Crimson and Brian Eno, The Penguin Café Orchestra were something of a charming anomaly. Sitting between classical, New Age music and avant-pop, they cut a singular path and made some absolutely beautiful recordings. After the death of leader Simon Jeffes, the band floated in and out of activity for a decade. It seems that Jeffes’ son, Arthur, is leading a new incarnation of the band, and a brand new recording is due shortly. You can order the new album, The Imperfect Sea, at their Bandcamp website..
Classical Music
[Music] Cristóbal de Morales – Mass for the feast of St. Isidore of Seville
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI1LxgzAJJs
Cristóbal de Morales is among my favorite Spanish composers of the Renaissance era. Saint Isodore of Seville, the patron saint of the Internet, happens to be one of my favorite saints. I’m surprised I missed this composition.
[Music] John Cale – Fragments Of A Rainy Season (Reissue)
This must be John Cale day. His seminal live album, “Fragments Of A Rainy Season,” has been remastered, and apparently re-sequenced as well. Go to Domino Records’ website to read the full press release.
[Music] Olivier Messiaen – Fête des belles eaux (1937)
Olivier Messiaen was the giant of French contemporary classical music during the 20th Century, and drew his inspiration from things as disparate as Japanese ethnic music and his devotion to Roman Catholicism.
[Music] Giorgio Sollazzi – Bavardage de Tyresia
Giorgio Sollazzi is a friend and a fine composer out of San Demetrio ne’ Vestini, Italy who works primarily with contemporary classical, avant-garde music.
[Music] Jurica Jelić – Patterns Within Chaos
Jurica Jelić has been featured before in this blog, and it’s a pleasure to announce that he has a new album filled with microtonal guitar compositions. Excellent headphone listening to drift off to.
[Music] Guillaume de Machaut – La Messe de Nostre Dame: Kyrie
Day after day, week after week, I get to scroll through my feed and finding some of the ugliest, most obnoxiously mean-spirited posts from people who wouldn’t know civility if it swatted them in the rump. A good aural cleansing is in order, courtesy of 14th Century poet and composer Guillaume de Machaut.
[Music] Moscow Sretensky Monastery Choir – Конь (Horse)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiKqyg3AzOk
Moscow’s Sretensky Monastery Choir is considered to be arguably Russia’s best choir. One can hear why on this folk song presented here.
[Music] Arvo Pärt – My Heart’s In The Highlands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3Y77YHGakQ
Arvo Pärt shows his love for Scotland.
[Music] Jos Smolders – Nowhere: Exercises in Modular Synthesis and Field Recording
Many years ago, well before I had access to the Internet, I used to collect experimental music cassettes. One of the groups I enjoyed most was a Dutch collective called THU20, who featured Jos Smolders, who was also partially responsible for the seminal VITAL WEEKLY series of newsletters which, to this day, feeds my interest for new experimental music. This is Jos’ newest release, from the Portuguese label Crónica Electrónica, and it’s a lovely piece of work. Pay specific attention to track #3, which is dedicated to yours truly, a most humbling honor from a decent and talented man.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 