Olga Neuwirth
Instrumental-Inseln Aus 'Bählamms Fest'

Born in 1968 in Graz, Austria, Olga Neuwirth belongs to the generation of the postmodern, if only for chronological reasons. But stylistic issues also support this hypothesis, as can be verified by listening to this CD. Five pieces, or rather three plus two: three "instrumental islands" from the musical theater piece 'Bählamm's Fest' plus two standalone pieces, "Vampyronetheone" and "Hooloomooloo".

Pieces written between 1995 and 1999 by a young composer who reveals some preferences: the spatial arrangement of sound sources and the use of electronics. The three instrumental islands indeed foresee an ensemble «centrally positioned in the space» (meaning with the audience all around, in live performances) and the use of live electronics. These are pieces (lasting 15, 9, and 10 minutes) with a rather monotonous and gray underlying texture, a sort of instrumental drone where nothing happens: but at intervals, for short durations, more dense phrases are inserted, small material explosions that reveal the dense and sharp sounds of the instruments.

The opening piece of the CD, "Vampyrotheone", is a more lively work characterized by greater complexity, but always dominated by a nervous, fragmented chatter. It includes three soloists (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, and electric guitar) and an ensemble divided into three formations. With a duration of 13 minutes, it's a good example of Neuwirth's remarkable timbral research towards unusual, sometimes grotesque sounds (as the title of the piece itself suggests).

Finally, "Hooloomooloo", concluding the CD: once more for an ensemble in three groups and a CD player (in the sense that some sounds are reproduced by a CD player). Brio and technical skill characterize the piece where sharp and dry timbres prevail, and where the instrumental blend brims with ideas and inventions (for example, an e-bow applied to the piano to obtain sinusoidal sounds).

CD recommended for a preparatory listening of Olga Neuwirth: precisely because it does not contain masterpieces, it can be used as a springboard towards more challenging music from the Austrian; for example, the captivating "Construction in Space" from 2000, or "Lost Highway" from 2002-03, a musical theater piece based on the film by David Lynch (both available on Kairos CD).