MP3 FILES FROM CD "Cordatum" (Strauss St 3205)
The Mp3 Files are at the bottom of this page. The following text was written by Prof Christopher Bochmann.
Some Brief Thoughts on the Music
These are not original compositions for which the composer takes full responsibility; nor are they part of the purely traditional repertoire in which evolution and aesthetic responsibility are collective.
We live in a per iod in which there is a certain tendency not to want to adapt the traditional repertoire, in which we regard the traditional as something that must not be tampered with if we are to preserve it in our modern civilization, in which our attitude tends towar ds keeping traditional music as museum pieces. Musicologically, this must be regarded as a wholly defensible point of view.
In other senses, however, an art form that is stagnant, is an art form that is dead. It may make it easier to stud y or to assess. But artistically, we could say that we face a dilemma in which to change is to lose, but to preserve is to kill.
On this recording, we come up against a sort of hybrid form that is unusual in this context. Aesthetically, there is something of the unstudied and unconscious about it: after all, evolution occurs in an unpredictable and unconscious way, in spite of our planning not because of it.
However, technically, there is a great deal of thought and musical planning here: how can this music be developed in such a way to preserve its real character but, at the same time, communicate something personal, new, fresh? There is attempt to make us feel that we are not listening merely to a type of music but actually to the music itself, though alw ays within the context of the traditional.
We can also not help been infected by the obvious pleasure that playing this music brings to the performers and this transpires at every moment on this recording.
In the final analysis, and after having reflected consciously in briefly on certain aspects, the only real test is to listen to the music. If we like it, there will be an aesthetic reason for it; if we do not, no amount of reasoning will legitimize it.
Each file contain one minute of High Quality Music. After you listen to this music you'll have an irresistible desire to buy the CD, this symptom is normal, do not fight it. If you don't find the CD in your local store, please send me a e-mail |