josi_

Yes, come on, all of Sicily is well represented ;) I reiterate my Promotional Campaign for comments on reviews by epic-doom-gugnir-fenrir-burzumeschi Scandinavian metalheads: "But have you ever listened to Grieg?"

Yes, Aniel, I admit that the phrase is a bit melodramatic :) let's say that for now it’s hard for me to imagine there is anything better, but of course, passion and curiosity DO not end here and I hope to be proven wrong soon. I reiterate that the conclusion is entirely personal and I do not intend (although I would love to spread the music) to convince anyone about Kancheli. Thank you, bye :) // Gabbox, I completely agree with you! While writing it, I realized that the term "beauty" lends itself to this kind of misunderstanding (I believe it was discussed elsewhere some time ago, but I don't remember where). By "beauty," I certainly do not mean the neoclassical aesthetic ideal. I mean the essence of art: which can then translate (depending on each artist's poetics) into works that may appear "unpleasant" to traditional taste; certain passages of Esterhazy, for example, are absolutely unreadable, schizophrenic, disharmonic - but I still use the term "beautiful" for them, in the sense of a "valid" work of art. I don't know if I made myself clear :)

Thank you all. I apologize for not being able to post the samples before tonight; I believe they are much needed. If you’ll allow me the pun, my intention was not to make a contribution but simply to pay tribute to an artist who (as trellheim rightly says) has literally struck me, to the point of making me believe I have concluded my personal search in music. Beyond my personal rants, aniel is right in stating that this kind of "constipated" review is easily subject to criticism; and therein lies much of the charm of DeB - where, in the comments, you can not only praise or criticize but also add on. Giya Kancheli is a contemporary composer (Georgian, but residing in Antwerp - and the great circle of music comes full circle ;P) who, as I perceive it, captures and synthesizes the most essential impulses of the entire history of music, from the poignant romantic lyricism (rightly noted by Hal) to the atonal music of Schoenberg, from the "spiritual synesthesia" of Olivier Messiaen (very important in Kancheli's work) to the minimalism of Arvo Pärt. Kancheli's music, however, is (at least for me) anything but a cold overlay of styles, and in this sense, I felt the need to relate his art to that of other artists who, in their respective fields, represent - Peter Esterhazy in literature, Anselm Kiefer in painting, Michelangelo in sculpture - particular peaks of beauty that are timeless, arising from the juxtaposition/synthesis of opposite dimensions such as those (velleitarily) sketched out in the review. I congratulate JoP for having also grasped the "hidden" intent of reproducing through writing the atmosphere and taste of ECM New Series editions! See you later for the samples...

Ah, Grieg. Splendid. The late-Romantic Scandinavian composers share a certain quality in common, that deep, clear, and almost "velvety" melodic taste, I must say. I’m thinking specifically of Grieg’s Morning Mood or Sibelius’s Valse Triste. Tell me, am I the only one who instinctively despairs when faced with this music at how some people fill their mouths with music that "celebrates Scandinavian traditions," yet they may have never even heard Grieg? Rece perfetta, as expected.

All of this reminds me that I need to get the new one by Kieran Hebden + Steve Reid. I recommend it to you as well. Cheers

Chuck Norris corrects coffee with a roundhouse kick. After that, the coffee never makes a mistake again.

Not surprisingly, she was 24 when she wrote it... the usual post-adolescent rebellious enthusiasm. But then it passes, fortunately ;)

Speechless

Very nice and helpful review, although the "nostalgic" intro held me back a bit :) I've never heard this, it's very different from Ow My Gawd? // Hey sbirulino, how long has it been since I last caught you :)

...I listened to that live a bit at Fnac, it's nice but I don't think I'll get it, so I'll pass :)