Customer Reviews

Angelus Novus

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One of the first documents of John Zorn's chamber music, "Angelus Novus" pulls together four compositions performed by the Callithumpian Consort of the New England Conservatory, directed by Stephen Drury. While the majority of Zorn's classical pieces on Tzadik feature musicians in his circle, it's nice to hear a performance by someone outside of that group-- in this case, students from the New England Conservatory.

"For Your Eyes Only" dates from 1988, and is scored for small (20 pieces total) orchestra. It is a piece of moments-- moving from dramatic and explosive statements to cartoonish squeals to swinging jazz statements. Perhaps more than anything else by Zorn, it does two things-- first it clearly displays a Carl Stalling influence-- the visual and rather spontaneous nature of these recordings would serve as a fine backdrop to a cartoon, and second, it provides a clear link between the jump cut styles of Naked City and Stalling's music. In listening to this piece, I gained a greater appreciation for Naked City (it should also be noted that Naked City albums came out shortly after this was composed-- no doubt they bled into each other).

"Christabel" is an opportunity to hear the work of a very young John Zorn-- written in 1972 when the composer was 18 or 19, it is presented in two movements. The first interchanges droning passages with more agile ones, the second features the ensemble (five flutes and a viola) playing off from each other, resulting in a circular sort of phrase.

1993's "Carny" is in my assessment the reason to purchase this-- a nearly thirteen minute solo piano piece, performed with unnerving brilliance and sensitivity by Stephen Drury, it is in many ways a microcosm of Zorn's universe-- brief passages are sliced and diced together into what proves to be a somewhat overwhelming and unique experience, and certainly Drury's performance is nothing short of astounding.

The title piece, "Angelus Novus", composed in 1993, closes the album. Scored for wind octet, its five movements explore drones, call and response, screeching, and in the last movement-- delicate and lovely lines. While it lacks the strength of "Carny", it is a fine performance.

As a whole, "Angelus Novus" is a fine record-- worth the investement for Drury's performance on "Carny", although beyond that, there are better examples of Zorn's chamber music out there.

I picked this one up on a whim and was a little disapointed at first, but of course after a few listens, it grew on me quite a bit.
1. "For Your Eyes Only" - a 14-minute chamber peice for a small orchestra. From all out aggression to jazzy horn interludes and breezy wind peices, this one is pretty erratic and requires a greater degree of attention from the listener.

2-3. "Christabel" - 2-part peice involving 5 flutes and 1 viola. The peice is essentially made up of long drones that occasionally erupt into sudden flurries of notes that make me think of being in an enchanted forest or something (heh). A very relaxing peice of music.

4. "Carny" - This also appears on "Cartoon S&M", but apparently this is the superior version. A solo piano peice, featuring a pretty astounding performance from Stephen Drury; apparently he slaved over this peice for a year. But heres what I think of it: i don't get it. It just sounds to me like someone randomly hammering away at the piano. If every bit of this 13-minute peice was written out, it IS pretty impressive to hear somebody actually sit and play the whole thing (especially with as much intensity and virtuosity as Mr. Drury does), but i said, i could easily believe that this is just someone randomly moving their fingers around the keyboard. Apparently it's brilliant...

5-9. "Angelus Novus" - This piece is the real gem of the record for me. Each of the 5 parts are made up of very well written passages featuring oboes, clarinets, bassoons and french horns. Don't really know what to say as to why i like this one, i just do. It's pretty cartoony, but it in a mellower, less quirky way.

All in all, i like it, but this certainly isnt the one to get if your just starting out in the world of Zorn.

The most important musical advance since counterpoint, Angelus Novus reveals the complete irrelevance of outmoded ways of appreciating "organized sound". In its startling deconstruction of the familiar, we discover uncanny and astonishing stuff. Zorn's appreciation of the flotsam and jetsam of our aurality is outdone only by his recognition and dis-integration of .... you know, all that.