Perishable Structures
New Focus, 2020
8/10
Listen to Perishable Structures
The esteemed percussionist and composer Bonnie Whiting brings us a very unique effort here, where speaking percussionists handle storytelling as it examines the relationship between percussion and spoken narrative.
The Whiting original, “…perishable structures that would be social events: IV. Varése”, starts the listen with a brief display of playful yet reserved drumming that makes great use of space, and Frederic Rzewski’s “To The Earth” follows with poetic storytelling amid bare, charming percussion that becomes quicker and gets more hypnotic, nearly meditative, into its 10 minutes.
The back half of the record offers Richard Logan-Greene’s “Your Thoughts While Listening”, where low rumbling sets the mood for a cinematic appeal that’s the only composition without vocals. The final track, “Exercise For Hands Right, Left And Deserted Mouth: no. 4 Speaking Percussionist And Ditties”, by Susan Parenti, exits the listen with several percussive instruments coinciding with what seems like a one sided conversation that evolves into an off kilter and disjointed exploration of fascinating demeanor.
An effort that’s appreciated for both its percussive and spoken elements and that bridges the gap between the two mediums with an abstract and always exciting execution, Whiting pulls of an ambitious endeavor here.
Travels well with: andPlay- Playlist; Hilary Hahn & Hauschka- Silfra