Way
New Focus, 2022
8/10
Pauline Kim Harris and Conrad Harris, i.e. String Noise, bring their inimitable violin prowess to these avant-garde compositions that are as versatile as they are creative.
Alex Mincek’s “Way” starts the listen very bare, with faint atmosphere, before the violins drone via strong attention to timbral techniques. Further on, polyrhythmic ideas enter, as higher registers help end the 28+ minutes.
In the middle, “Field”, by Lou Bunk, unfolds across 5 movements, and turns silence into a refined science that embraces the dynamic interaction between the pair, and concludes with half-pitched bow sounds and stirring textures.
The final track, Catherine Lamb’s “(in) tone”, dissects pitch meticulously, and in expressive, subtle ways thanks to its delicate and cinematic nature.
String Noise’s last release, Eric Lyon’s Giga Concerto, spotlighted the pair as soloists alongside the International Contemporary Ensemble. Here, they interpret these esteemed composers with a fascinating understanding of their craft, and it’s a vision that is entirely their own and very much appreciated by the listener.
Travels well with: Marti Epstein- Nebraska Impromptu; Wilfrido Terrazas- The Torres Cycle