A solo percussion recording from June of 2003, Christian Wolfarth’s semi-self-titled disc has several very enticing moments but wanders back and forth as far as sustaining unbroken interest throughout the disc. The opening track is my personal favorite: ten or so minutes of harshly bowed objects with a tense, almost panting figure alongside, underpinned by immense, throbbing groans. The sheer depth and massiveness of this sound-world is extremely compelling and entirely transports the listener. It’s a marvelous piece; would that the rest of the recording was so strong.
The second track switches gears entirely, presenting a staggered array of brushings and clicks; an interesting enough selection of sounds but nothing that coheres convincingly into a whole. The next cut regains substantial ground, beginning with clatter that sounds like a small herd of eohippus, soon to be accompanied by stinging gnats. Various other fascinating sputters emerge, containing a spectrum of unusual and full resonances (I believe there’s one of those metal balls in a spray paint can included) that Wolfarth succeeds in combining in a convincing, unforced and irregular cadence. It culminates in a wonderful, looping eddy of scrapes and ultrahigh ringing tones, the latter eerily riding out the last few minutes. But then, somewhat frustratingly, gears reshift once again and the fourth track offers a loud cascade of stop and start bangs and rattles, causing something of a disjuncture in the flow, though by now I come to suspect that this may be Wolfarth’s intent. This selection contains the most overt “drumming” of the set and is fine as such, just not nearly as interesting as the more abstract pieces. The fifth and final work kind of straddles the middle ground, its extraordinarily grating (in a good way!) opening metal bowings surfacing and submerging like some deep sea behemoth though perhaps ultimately overstaying their welcome by several minutes.
So, a mixed blessing. A good half of the disc is excellent, though, and I’d say worth hearing for those portions alone.
www.for4ears.com
Posted by Brian Olewnick on January 24, 2006 5:51 PMI liked this one much more than you then Brian (Wire review forthcoming). Unlike you I also hear it as a five movement Bartok-like arch form built around the third central movement, which is the only piece on which he's using multitracking. I really think he's managed to do in an acoustic context (overdubs yes but no electronic instruments in kit) what his friens Kahn and Korber do electronically. Sort of acoustic EAI, if you see what I mean. Definitely one of my favourites of the end of last year, and as a solo percussion venture on a par with Wastell's Vibra and Sean Meehan's.. oops, forgot, you haven't heard that one yet have you? Heh heh.
Posted by: Dan Warburton at January 24, 2006 9:37 PMhow do you feel this compares to his other (old now) solo disc? i quite liked that one. but i'm also a fan of the duo with donat finch, which i imagine would irk many the wrong way
Posted by: unwrinkled at January 25, 2006 2:05 PM"a small herd of eohippus, soon to be accompanied by stinging gnats."
"some deep sea behemoth"
I like that you're getting animals in there, but don't forget that food references are also essential to reviews of new music. (Just as random suggestions, is any of the bowed stuff wintogreen or maybe lemongrass? Isn't a single part of the work thickly sweet as karo syrup?)
Gotta go, though--tee time at the mini haven and that dinosaur hole is killing me!
Posted by: walto at January 25, 2006 2:21 PMI like the earlier solo 3-3-2 disc a lot too, and I always enjoyed CW's work with Brennan on the Momentum series on Leo (though number 3 was nowhere near as good as the first two - interestingly CW's website doesn't mention Brennan much at all.. maybe they fell out). To answer your question as to how it compares, I refer back to what I wrote above; the new disc sounds like the work of someone who's immersed himself in the EAI of the past five or so years. The earlier disc still nods back in the direction of jazz (from what I remember of it - dipped into a couple of tracks while reviewing this one), in the same way that Bertrand Denzler's stuff from about 5 years ago did. Anyway, heard this one yet, Andrew? I'd be interested to hear what you make of it.
Posted by: Dan Warburton at January 25, 2006 2:42 PMNot listened to this enough yet in a properly awake state to be able to form a real opinion, but first couple of plays I came out with mixed feelings too, some places it worked for me and left me marvelling at what could be achieved by a solo percussionist and in other places less so, I also struggled with the latter parts of the disc, it seemed to lose a bit of its focus and subtlety, but I really need to spend some time with this one I think.
One thing I can I like a lot is the cover photography, the relationship of which to the music I haven't a clue, but really nice pics.
Posted by: Richard Pinnell at January 25, 2006 2:47 PMI think momentum 4 is the best yet.
Posted by: Damon Smith at January 25, 2006 3:58 PMI'm anxious to check this out - the mixed reviews making it even more intriguing as i'm already inclined towards wolfath's tone.
alas, i'm not going to be purchasing this anytime soon, and im not a slsker (mac) so this will have to wait until a friend picks it up and plays it for me, or a year or so goes by when i can buy.
I only have MOMENTUM 3, and haven't heard the others, but 3 kills me. I adore it. Bertrand Denzler is heavy.
Posted by: Reuben Radding at January 25, 2006 7:42 PMI don't know M4 because Feigin has, not surprisingly, removed me from his promo list, and I'll be fucked if I'm going to buy it. He's seen enough of my money. Pirate swaps, anyone? If you think Denzler is heavy on M3 Reuben have you heard him on the Potlatch trio with Durrant & Beins?
Posted by: Dan Warburton at January 25, 2006 10:33 PMI have not!
Is it, like, totally killing?
Posted by: Reuben Radding at January 26, 2006 3:13 PMhttp://www.bagatellen.com/archives/reviews/000952.html
Posted by: Dan Warburton at January 26, 2006 9:42 PMThis self-titled disc by Christian Wolfarth is a terrific item, beautifully structured, one of the best solo percussion suites I've heard in a long time. And the sleeve design is very attractive too.
Posted by: Brian Marley at January 28, 2006 12:01 AMi'm with brian m. and dan w. on this one - really love this disc.
Posted by: tomas at January 28, 2006 5:23 AMWell after hearing a glowing reccomendation for this from Mr Marley yesterday I've played it through a couple of times this morning and I'm really warming to it. i will still say I prefer the first track to anything else on the album as it is the least 'percussive' track there though!
Apologies for the blatant plug, but for anyone interested we'll be playing the first track on ResonanceFM tonight (Sunday 29th) at 9.30GMT.
Also on the show will be an unreleased concert recording from 2002 of Rhodri Davies and Joel Stern, who was mentioned on a parrellel thread recently.
http://www.resonancefm.com/audio.htm
We will now return you to your regularly scheduled programme. :)
Posted by: Richard Pinnell at January 29, 2006 7:03 AMooopps!
I haven't heard this disc yet, but have had the fortune of experiencing the man in question live, doing a solo set of his immaculate drumming (Berlin/Stralau 68/october '05), before joining a lamentably unfocused Golia/Einsestadt/Drake trio which playedbefore him. And I dare comment that it involved, luckily, a brutal lot of "conventional" playing, since this cat is a restrained virtuoso, quite delicate, and full of resources where to grab and find gold. I guess the awesome performance was permeated by concentration and relaxed touch, something related to meditative power and clarity of intent. That more than over-using extended technique like a vicious innovator he was enjoying every bit of the sounds the drums still produce when hit with passion and gusto. a one concert of past year, sure!
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