The Shock of the Old [IMPORT]

Common Sense Composers' Collective (Composer), American Baroque (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: American Baroque
• Composer: Common Sense Composers' Collective
• Audio CD (June 1, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• 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.com Sales Rank: #105,733 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Classical > Instruments > Electronic

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

Editorial Reviews

San Francisco Chronicle, June 30, 2002

"A Classic. One of the freshest and most exciting discs of the year." - Joshua Kosman

Product Description

THE SHOCK OF THE OLD is a new-music meets original Baroque-era instrumentation convergence featuring the Common Sense Composers Collective and the American Baroque performing ensemble.

With a nod to Thomas Paine, the new-music crew, Common Sense Composers Collective collaborated intimately with American Baroque from the project's outset. This irresistable innovative strategy of well-pedigreed composers and performers developing new-music works together yielded a thrilling eye and ear-opening recording, joining John Kennedy's One Body (SFNM-0512)on the new Santa Fe New Music label.

A few moments into the opening bars of Belinda Reynold's exhilarating "CIRCA" and the essence of this joyous collaboration takes flight. Some of the individual works such as Dan Becker's "Tamper Resistant" are imbued with a Baroque-era sensibility, while others, such as John Halle's engaging "Spooks" are unapologetically modern, save for the instrumentation. A number of compositions weave seamlessly in and out of the Baroque and Modern worlds.

Santa Fe New Music proudly releases THE SHOCK OF THE OLD, and we can only hope that open ears and open minds greet this lively and intriguing music, as the Common Sense Composers Collective and American Baroque remind us that neither old nor new are what they used to be.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!, July 16, 2002

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

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!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

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

A Kid's Review

...
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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Motley Assorted Music, January 29, 2004

By	rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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In this marvelous CD's liner notes, it has this line which this reviewer believes typifies the effort: "The results are a wonderful and motley assortment of pieces. We hope you enjoy."

I enjoy, and think many of you will too. This is combo of two groups collaboration, Common Sense Composers' Collective and American Baroque. New electronic devices and their capabilites combine (the motley) with baroque instruments in wonderful merger of fresh, exciting new sounds.

I like another reviewer rave over the 9 Miniatures work, especially cuts two and three, Slippery and Metoclopramide respectively named. There are hard to describe, but old meeting new in vibrant, synthesized way would only begin to come close.

Also, as Telemann fan, their treatment of him as silly putty in "Tamper Resistant" is delightful.

Try this. New possiblities musically are intriguing and fun listening.