Search - Roger Reynolds, Edwin London, Kotaro Sato :: Whispers Out of Time: Works for Orchestra by Roger Reynolds

Orchestral masterpieces from a contemporary master.

Tom Furgas | Youngstown, OH United States | 12/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have long enjoyed the music of Roger Reynolds, going back to the 1970's and his wonderful album on CRI; "Ping/Traces". I have found recordings of his work here and there and have always got ahold of them whenever possible. His music is very imaginative and I always find myself listening keenly to his work. There is a wealth of detail and unexpected sonic adventures that make me sit up and really listen in hopes of grasping all the elements that make his music beautiful in ways that the neo-Romanticists never will understand. Reynolds is purely a Modernist, and would never waste time with the irony that makes up most Post-Modernism.

These three orchestral works are among Reynolds most amazing and beautiful works. I especially enjoyed "Whispers Out Of Time", for string orchestra. His orchestration of the strings (a string section with solo violin, viola, 'cello, and contrabass in front) divulges a wealth of color and motion, with all the intricate elements dovetailed just perfectly. It's not "pretty" in a neo-Romantic way, but is beautiful in a very Modernist way. Less complex than, say, Carter, but nonetheless purely Modern and thus of our time. But all three works have the amazing color and detail that make them riveting listening. Headphones recommended! (So that one does not miss any of the wealth of detail.)"