Sargasso/Bayerischer Rundfunk
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John
Palmer ''Koan, Still, Satori''
Genre: modern avant-garde
including: Das Neue
KammerTrio
Carsten Johannes Hustedt, flute
Andreas Gerhadus, viola
Hans Wilhelm Kaufmann, guitar |
The three
acoustic works presented on this CD all reflect John Palmer's profound
engagement with Japanese spiritual and aesthetic tradition. 'Koan' is
a rare encounter between shakuhachi and chamber orchestra. Performed
by the ComeT ensemble and Teruhisa Fukuda, one of the few great shakuhachi
virtuoso soloists. In 'Still' bass flute, viola and guitar create a
meditative mood before the sparse solo harpsichord of 'Satori' brings
the journey to an end.
The music is wonderful. I have been listening with intensity and
delight at all levels, enjoying the rich sonorities, structures, intricacies,
inventions and insights. I guess being a Buddhist as well as having
some background in Japanese music helps, but I am sure the appeal must
be immediate to most listeners, and in any case there's so much to gain
from repeated hearings!
Michael Barrett, Sasakawa Foundation
I
love the CD. I have not heard contemporary music which is that much
alive in a long long time. I feel that John Palmer's music comes out
not only of an intellectual state, but has a very close connection to
the body. This shows how he deals with form, rhythm, and especially
sound. It is all very complex (good music has to be!) but it can all
be felt. John Palmer's music shows so much capacity of liveliness that
there will always be something to take over into one's personal life.
Katharina Olivia Brand, University of Heidelberg |
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