Jo Kondo

This 1983 collection on ALM compiles what is generally considered to be one of Jo Kondō's last linear pieces - "A Shape Of Time" - which he describes as a "duo" for piano and orchestra. The classification is appropriate since the overall concept is focused on basic dynamic arc applied to individual pitches or sound-blocks. In this way each of the individual 'linear' sound-events is started out by the group of orchestral instruments which play crescendo part of the dynamic shape - piano to mezzo forte - and then passed on to piano, which rings out the diminuendo section. While the focus here is still on the linear sequence this is a bit of a hybrid horizontal/vertical work. the allbum is featuring Aki Takahashi (p), Kenji Kobayashi (vl), Fumiko Shinozaki (harp), Norio Sato (g) and the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

Strands Ⅲ is a work for violin and piano, the third in a series of scores based on Strands that has been performed since 1978. It basically takes the material of the first Strands septet (written for a very unusual combo of flute, English horn, steel drum, electric piano, banjo, viola and bass) and condenses it to a duel between violin and piano. This is basically an exercise in hocket technique (which is clearly visible in the score) transposed onto hyper-complex phrasing and overall pointillist texture. Duo is a unison ensemble for harp and guitar. From time to time both instruments do land on unisons in a strange cadence-like manner, but most of the time ring out spicy minor seconds and major seventh.; Still Life is a multi-recorded work for eight violins. Written for seven violins it uncharacteristically simplifies the rhythm to an even beat and turns the listener's attention to spellbinding flow of contracting and expanding harmonies played in warm and heavy down-bow strokes. Both are excellent pieces from a post-ambient perspective, composed of gently progressing single notes and sustained sounds with a hint of minimalist elements