The Shock of the Old [Import]

Common Sense Composers' Collective (Composer), American Baroque (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: American Baroque
• Composer: Common Sense Composers' Collective
• Audio CD (June 1, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Santa Fe New Music
• ASIN: B000068THR
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #435,649 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. CIRCA - Belinda Reynolds

2. 9 Miniatures / Slippery - Marc Mellits

3. 9 Miniatures / Metoclopramide - Marc Mellits

4. 9 Miniatures / Lefty's Elegy - Marc Mellits

5. 9 Miniatures / Dark Age Machinery - Marc Mellits

6. 9 Miniatures / Carpal Tunnel - Marc Mellits

7. 9 MIniatures / Lunacy - Marc Mellits

8. 9 Miniatures / Nomadic - Marc Mellits

9. 9 Miniatures / Lego - Marc Mellits

10. 9 Miniatures / Elegy for Lefty - Marc Mellits

11. Artificial Light - Randall Woolf

12. Tamper Resistant - Dan Becker

13. More Spirit Than Matter...Ein Bischen-Carolyn Yarnell

14. More Spirit...Spinning Music - Carolyn Yarnell

15. Spooks - John Halle

16. Shall We Go? - Melissa Hui

17. Authentically Classic - Ed Harsh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!, July 15, 2002

By 

"amursa" (Richmond, VT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Shock of the Old (Audio CD)

Can one use words like "hot", or "rockin', to describe contemporary concert music? Well, when talking about The Shock of the Old, from the Common Sense Composer's Collective, you sure can. This is wonderful new music composed for and brilliantly played on historical instruments by the members of American Baroque, a dynamic, eclectic ensemble based in San Francisco. American Baroque definitely rocks! And sings beautifully, and swings...! They bring such joy and virtuoso musicianship to their playing that the heart of music, both old and new, is made accessible.

The pieces challenge the technical realities of the period instruments, creating an imaginative and innovative aesthetic. I especially enjoyed Marc Mellits' 9 Miniatures, which utilizes the ensemble to create a soundscape that evokes the diverse spirit of the musical past and present. The amazing Baroque flautist, Stephen Schultz, is particularly outstanding on Mellits' haunting Elegy for Lefty and John Halle's technically demanding Spooks. Katherine Shao's harpsichord playing is a revelation throughout; Gonzalo Ruiz has command of one of the purist sounds I've ever heard from a Baroque oboe; Violinist, Elizabeth Blumenstock, and gambist, Roy Whelden play with flawless technique and produce a string sound that runs the gamut of musical history. Am I delighted? Yes!

This is thoughtful, fun, ear-opening contemporary music that both challenges and warmly invites. It communicates and expands the possibilities. Bravo to all concerned with the project!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this CD!, July 10, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Shock of the Old (Audio CD)

...
An amazing bunch of musicians playing some amazing new (old!) music. I love baroque violin and harpsichord...I always wonder why composers don't work with these instruments and deconstruct these classical forms more often, so I really love this record. It is a brilliant concept and all the music is different and wonderful. I am a huge fan now of Common Sense Collective: I think they are a really energized and exciting consortium of artists clearly out to turn music on it's head...just put on the CD and let Belinda Reynold's piece CIRCA begin your day, swirling around your head with your morning coffee!! All the composers on this cd rock.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy of the New in "Shock of the Old!", July 1, 2002

By 

Douglas Currens "douglasec" (Tiburon, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shock of the Old (Audio CD)

"I have seen the future of classical music, and it's name is...Common Sense???" Finally, something new and delightful in contemporary music! Common Sense has found a talented group in American Baroque to try some cross-cultural pollination that actually works! I'm particularly fond of the first track, Belinda Reynold's "CIRCA," and also Dan Becker's "Tamper Resistant"; it makes me want to go mutate some music- he could give Moby and Beck some original ideas... all beautifully recorded with "Baroque-a-delic" cover art for that real 60's (1760s, that is!) feel. A talented group of composers + talented performers + a creative concept = a UNIQUE TREAT...they also just got a great review in the Sunday "Datebook" of the San Francisco Chronicle ...I enjoyed their previous "Emergency Music" CD on Koch from a few years ago as well, which is why I was quick to check out what Common Sense was up to this time!