4.0 out of 5 stars
A Sensitivity for the Musical Haiku, August 19, 2010
This review is from: ROUNDABOUT:CARL (Audio CD)
First recorded in 1988, Roundabout for contrabass and computer-generated tape is joined with a series of experimental and theatrical works, notably adaptations of ten brief haiku of the Japanese poet Buson. Carl's compositions develop around a sensitivity of plastic time and open space, but being a student of Xenakis, Rochberg, Crumb, and Wernick, his musical palette is modern, agitated, and somewhat noisy. Other than the quiet phrases of the haiku, these more extensive work reflects what Carl recognizes as the fragmented, whirling energy and virtualness of contemporary life. Don't expect some nice romantic melody to linger. Dabs, silences, and layering of half-tunes and some discords provoke, as some partially remembered dream. There are some flowing ambient aspects of Ives and Cage too. This is interesting music, but I personally would not want to hear it often.
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