Waldmusik
Neuma, 2026
9/10
A body of work that comprises 14 years of walking and listening, these pieces by Christopher Shultis were inspired by walks in the woodlands and mountains across the globe.
“Circlings” starts with a mesmerizing approach, where the Gyeonggi Gayageum Ensemble and Shultis’ glowing percussion emit strong attention to space, and “Wissahickon, Pulpit Rock, French Creek” follows with Ashley Oakley’s rumbling piano amid Douglas Nottingham’s well timed percussion.
”Devisadero” occupies the middle spot and relies on Curt Cacioppo’s lone piano that offers us chilling and cinematic bouts, while “World’s End Preludes” has Cacioppo’s keys radiating distinct sounds that are mesmerizing and bare qualities that draw us in via its distinct tonality.
“One Far Noise” is the last track, and it recruits Simone Mancuso’s tamtam for the 20+ minutes of percussive exploration.
Shultis turns the sounds of place like New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Korea and Germany into a highly artistic and experimental acoustic and electroacoustic effort that’s engaging from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Percussia- Murmuration; KC Vitas- When We Arrive At Home