Quadrivium
Neuma, 2023
9/10
The Bay Area outfit Earplay flesh out these tracks by Edmund Campion, where the chamber sounds are paired with exciting electronics for the experimental approach
The 11+ minutes of “Mathematica” opens the listen with Tod Brody’s adventurous flute playing and Campion’s unpredictable electronics that pay close attention to harmonic, rhythmic and spatial patterns, and “Geometria” follows with Peter Josheff’s clarinet being manipulated in waves of sweeping intimacy and exploration that’s highly focused on space.
The back half of the listen begins with Daniel Kennedy’s marimba and Campion’s electronics for the polyphonic tempos and infectious rhythm of “Astronomia”, and “Musica”, the fullest track, exits with Brody’s flute, Josheff’s clarinet, Kennedy’s marimba, Patricia Plude’s piano and David Milnes’ conducting for the rumbling versus bare moments of CAC techniques and IRCAM Open Music software that adds even more allure to the cycle’s best selection.
A truly innovative mashing of computer sounds and chamber music, the ability of the players to openly experiment with musical structure and rhythm only heightens the experience for the listener.
Travels well with: Roger Reynolds- For A Reason; Aaron Jay Myers- Late Night Banter