John McGuire - Double String Trios [Unseen Worlds 063]

Put out on the circuit via the almost two decades strong NYC-based Unseen Worlds label is John McGuire's "Double String Trios", a pretty much self-explanatory album effort of roughly 62 minutes total playtime which features three extended pieces, each composed for - guess what - two string trios. With all three pieces exceeding or coming close to the 20 minutes mark we see the opening composition "Jump Cuts" bring forward a dramatic, most beautiful flow of serial movements with the trios following each other almost in unison through extended repetitions and unexpected turns, providing quite a touching take on Contemporary Modern Classical composition with an almost scenic twist subsequently followed by "Double Bars", a lush and in parts at least Baroque-informed affair, whereas the final "Playground" provides rather playful and complex interactions, repeating motifs, dramatic build ups and sustained longing also well suitable for future scores and vast cinematic landscape shots covering snow covered mountain ranges - or endless cliffs and savannahs. Even if you're not well versed in Contemporary x Modern Classical music this could provide an entry point for an ongoing journey... or a singular source of joy coming from an unexpected angle. Go check.

Album artwork on Instagram!