Many Many Women
Sub Rosa, 2026
9/10
This large-scale composition for voices and instruments from 1975-78 on the text of Gertrude Stein's novella of the same name sees Petr Kotik’s vision spread out across 2 discs thanks to members of S.E.M. Ensemble and Ostravská banda.
“Many Many Women Part 1” occupies disc 1 and showcases the winds and brass interacting with a rich and thoughtful mood, where soft versus fuller moments invite the harmonic singing that’s layered superbly alongside the meticulous instrumentation.
“Many Many Women Part 2” takes the 2nd disc, and blends the 2 sopranos, countertenor, tenor, bass-baritone and bass voices amid the tonally brighter flutes and trumpets and trombones via the austere climate.
A lot of work over many years went into this project, and its presence does a superb job of illuminating Kotik’s vision of experimental sounds and use of intervals of fifths, fourths, and octaves that preserves the masterpiece in an edited down 142 minutes.
Travels well with: Petr Bakla- Cello & Piano; Bill Laswell & P.ST- Mount Analogue