delugEON
Islandia, 2019
8/10
An Israel born artist now residing in NYC, Maya Beiser tackles many current environmental issues with her esteemed cello playing on this daring and fluid record that was recorded over 7 days and uses no digital or artificial effects.
“Moonlight Sonata” starts the listen with soothing strings and a setting of elegance and mystery in the Beethoven masterpiece, and “Slow Seasons” follows with 4 different portions to represent each season, and each flows with its own distinct atmosphere.
Deeper cuts bring us the tense mood of “Ah Dolente Partita”, where ambience is key, while “Stabat Mater” pushes and pulls with gorgeous restraint. “When I Am Laid In Earth” ends the listen with incredible cello playing from Beiser as she manipulates sound and tone with a solemn haze of timeless beauty.
Beiser has already played alongside legends like Brian Eno and Philip Glass, as well as being a founding member of Bang On A Can All-Stars, and here she refines classical music into her artistic vision where nature sounds are incorporated into the sublime instrumentation.
Travels well with: Zoe Keating- Into The Trees;Vicky Chow- Tristan Perich: Surface Image