Customer Reviews

And Who Shall Go to the Ball? And What Shall Go to the Ball?

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I like atonal twentieth century avant garde-classical, but this was a huge disappointment; no dramatic tension just quixotic meandering, which quickly dissipates without lingering.

In addition to his strong baritone, Scott Walker had always had some interesting ideas about orchestration, and in the late 1990s he contributed a purely instrumental score to a French film. Soon after the release of his critically acclaimed album THE DRIFT, Walker was asked to write a ballet for the CandoCo Dance Company: "And Who Shall Go to the Ball? And What Shall Go to the Ball?" The music was performed by the London Sinfonietta and cellist Philip Sheppard, and 4AD released the 24-minute work as a limited edition in October 2007.

You can sort of guess how appealing this album is by the fact that, although only 2500 pressings were made, cheap used copies are abundant. There are no vocals here, and the music consists only of the atonal strings that form the backing of Walker's last album. There are moments here that hint at drama, and perhaps when joined to dancers this production worked well, but for a home listener I daresay there's zero interest here.

It's like Schoenberg called Xenakis and said "Hey! For some reason I'm not dead anymore and I want to work with you!" and Xenakis was like "Hell yeah!!"

Y'all know what I'm talk'n bout!

Scott and the London Sinfonietta produces some noise, somewhat - I'd say - reminiscent of Stockhausen, but noisier, for a ballet performance. No singing, and definitely not what you'd call song - but some people kind of like that. only 24 mins. playing time - and some people might like that.