ZOFO - ZOFORBIT: A Space Odyssey (2014)
Contemporary Classical | Sono Luminus DSL-92178 | 2014 | 73:03 | Pure Audio Blu-ray | Hi-Res 24-bit/96 kHz FLAC tracks (via mShuttle): 980 MB | 320 kbps mp3 tracks (via mShuttle): 172 MB | Full Scans | Various File Hosts
ZOFO Duet
Contemporary Classical | Sono Luminus DSL-92178 | 2014 | 73:03 | Pure Audio Blu-ray | Hi-Res 24-bit/96 kHz FLAC tracks (via mShuttle): 980 MB | 320 kbps mp3 tracks (via mShuttle): 172 MB | Full Scans | Various File Hosts
ZOFO Duet
The Crumb (b. 1929) work is given all the cosmic spatiality it deserves. The Lang (b. 1957) has a pleasing contemplative quality. And then the surprise of the set is Sisask's (b. 1960) "The Milky Way" subtitled "Piano Sonata op. 24 for Four Hands". It has ritual rhythmic movement in an exotic minor mode, greatly abetted by the passages where the strings are dampened or strummed. It almost sounds like gamelan music, only more cosmic.
classicalmodernmusic.blogspot.com
The beauty of ZOFORBIT is how well Zimmermann and Nakagoshi not only utilize the added layers of complexity a duet setup has to many of these sets, but how they essentially simplify them – giving a more spacious backdrop to really encapsulate an intergalactic tone if you will. That simplicity, or breaking down to air out a more details, is clearly heard on ZOFO’s performance of George Crumb’s “Celestial Mechanics” in which little nuisances are more noticeable, and appreciated, because Zimmermann and Nakagoshi spread their cues.
ZOFO Duet:
Keisuke Nakagoshi, piano
Eva-Maria Zimmermann, piano
Track List:
Urmas Sisask (b. 1960)
THE MILKY WAY
Piano Sonata op. 24 for Four Hands
1) I
2) II
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
THE PLANETS, op. 32
3) I. Mars, the Bringer of War
4) II. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
5) III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger
6) IV. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity
7) V. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
8) VI. Uranus, the Magician
9) VII. Neptune, the Mystic
George Crumb (b. 1929)
CELESTIAL MECHANICS
(Makrokosmos IV): Cosmic Dances for Amplified Piano, Four-Hands
10) I. Alpha Centauri
11) II. Beta Cygni
David Lang (b. 1957)
12) GRAVITY
The package included both CD and Pure Audio Blu-ray disc. Individual high resolution 24-bit/96 kHz FLAC and 320 kbps mp3 files were copied from the Blu-ray disc using mShuttle option, so there is no log or cue files. The disc also contained 24-bit/128 kHz FLAC files, but due to their size I skipped them. There are two archives available for download - FLAC and mp3, both include scans and booklet.
3% recovery record is included.
More contemporary American and European music is available at my blog.