Perpetulum: Philip Glass, Gavin Bryars in Bloomington, MN

This release from
Third Coast Percussion
, on
Philip Glass
'
Orange Mountain Music
label, breaks new ground in several respects, which is no mean feat for its seemingly indestructible, octogenarian principal. The big news is that
Glass
himself, after all these years, contributes
Perpetulum
, a piece for percussion ensemble that is apparently his first one ever. This may seem strange for a composer for whom the rhythmic element has always been prominent, but here the relationship between rhythm and tonality is different, and the ensemble seems to draw forth a new kind of humor from
. It's delightful; sample the first movement, and you may well be entranced. The other new development here, is that
has reached what might be termed a second generation of influence; the rest of the music on the album, some of it by members of
, reflects the work of composers who have taken
' ideas, and developed them in new directions. The standout is
David Skidmore
's
Aliens with Extraordinary Abilities
, which takes up the first CD, consisting of seven movements with amusing titles. Each one explores a different texture and rhythmic configuration.
Gavin Bryars
The Other Side of the River
, which closes the program, is a minimalist work with large sectional contrasts.
Peter Martin
and
Robert Dillon
each contribute a shorter piece, with titles that indicate their structural procedures. The entire album is absorbing and often fun, and never dull. Highly recommended for those interested in minimalism. ~ James Manheim