Solo Three

ミシガンを拠点とする作曲家/マルチ・インストゥルメンタリスト。Steve Reichの《Music for 18 Musicians》の再構築、Simeon ten Holtの"Canto Ostinato"を"7台のキーボードで制作したソロバージョンに続く3部作。今作では単一の楽曲に焦点を当てるのではなく、Glenn Branca、Charlemagne Palestine、Laurie Spiegel、そして再びSteve Reichといった複数の革新的作曲家たちの作品を織り合わせています。今回も全パートを自身で演奏・録音し、ひとつひとつの音を積み重ねていく。機械化が進む時代において、これはきわめて人間的で、静かな抵抗と言えるでしょう。
「すべての音を自分の手で演奏することが、何よりも魅力的なんだ。テイクごとのわずかな違いが、生きて呼吸するような魔法を生む」

NOMO member and In Tall Buildings founder Erik Hall released an interpretation of Steve Reichs classic minimalist work Music for 18 Musicians in 2020, recorded at home completely solo using keyboards, guitars, and synths, without any loops or programming. The recording received praise from Reich himself, and received the 2021 Libera Award for Best Classical Record. Hall followed it with a recording of Canto Ostinato by Simeon ten Holt, similarly created at home using three keyboard instruments. The record was similarly acclaimed, and Hall went on to work with Metropolis Ensemble and Sandbox Percussion. Solo Three completes Halls trilogy of self-recorded interpretations of modern classical and minimalist works. Instead of focusing on one longform work, this album contains pieces by four different composers. Shorter selections by Glenn Branca and Laurie Spiegel alternate with lengthier ones by Reich and Charlemagne Palestine. Hall manages to bring a remarkable amount of warmth and intimacy to these pieces -- rarely does Brancas music ever sound this delicate, or comforting. Spiegels work is typically sunnier and more human-sounding than most of the electronic music that comes from an academic background, and Halls take on "A Folk Study" feels natural and effortless. Reichs "Music for a Large Ensemble" is the albums highlight, however, as Hall does a remarkable job of reconstructing the pieces interlocking patterns and complex rhythms. As it unfolds, new twists and curves in the rhythms await at every corner, while horn-like synths bloom and fade. Every moment is busy and alive, and its an exciting rush. ~ Paul Simpson