Örjan Sandred
Cracks and Corrosion
By Glen Hall

Cracks and Corrosion is an auspicious debut recording of diverse works by Swedish modern composer Örjan Sandred. Beginning with the riveting "Amanzule Voices," for cello and electronics, Sandred creates a piece of high drama, informed with an acute sense of passing time on the rhythmical and structural levels. The electronics are carefully deployed, making interesting juxtapositions, commentaries and antiphonies to the solo cello. "Cracks and Corrosion 1" is more traditional, in the new music sense of the word, with sonorities of violin, viola, cello, clarinet and piano. "Cracks and Corrosion 2" couldn't be more unlike its companion piece. For solo classical guitar and MAX/MSP electronics, there is flamenco rasquedo strums ceding to metal-ish distortion and faux whammy bar dives with wilful forward movement and strong structure. Electro-acoustic piece "The Third Perspective" uses cello sounds sampled at different distances, panning, a simulated Doppler effect, EQ, reverb and Turbosynth to create movement and perspective, all to hypnotic effect. "Whirl of Leaves," for flute and harp, is plain beautiful. The CD contains extensive notes on set-ups and analysis. (Navona)
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