Various Artists - Les Espaces Electroacoustiques III [Col Legno]

"Les Espaces Electroacoustiques III: Masterpieces Of Electroacoustic Music - Presented In 5.1 Surround And Stereo" - this is the full title of this March 17th, 2k23 released 2CD compilation album on the Vienna-based label Col Legno which presents a total of nine extended pieces of avantgarde x experimental music conceived in the thirty years period between 1986 and 2016. Rolled out over a total playtime of roughly 135 minutes these pieces, composed by the likes of Kaija Saariaho, Hans Tutschku, Georg Friedrich Haas, Jose Manuel Lopez Lopez and others, provide a curated glimpse into the world of academia with Thomas Kessler's "Flute Control" for flute and computer being an explorative insight into fluttering, nervous instrumental techniques paired with an increasing influx of eerie computer generated, sometimes mechanical sound sources within the boundaries of so-called Minimal Music whereas Hans Tuschku's "Pressure-Divided", a piece for violoncello and 8-channel live electronics, brings forth a combination of brooding and spatial-electroacoustic atmospheres and dramatic, slightly off-kilter string works which are, in the compositions second half, gravitating towards Modern Classical x Chamber Music. Furthermore Jose Manuel Lopez Lopez' "Sottovoce" for vocal quartet and informatic system amalgamates electronic space strings and ethereal choir non-vocalisms to an outerworldy and braincell-clouding effect, partially reminiscent of vintage Opera and monochromatic b-movies of yore whilst Peter Ablinger fully indulges in extended, washed out and time-dissolving Drone and Noize arrangements almost burying fragile acoustic string works with the albums final cut that is "Instrumente Und ElektroAkustisch Ortsbezogene Verdichtung ('Das Blaue Vom Himmel')" for violoncello and live electronics which therefore turns out to be our favorite cut on this monumental compilation just to name a few. One extended journey for the seasoned fan and follower of avantgarde composition and music.

Album artwork on Instagram!