Breakdown

“Peter Hannan’s solo recorder disc for the fledgling SRI label spans works by several composers of international repute, including a virtuoso show-piece by Luciano Berio, much in the manner of his Sequenze series; a small etude by Louis Andriessen for one player manipulating two instruments; a chaste Eastem-flavoured solo by Somei Satoh; and a pair of rather disappointing studies for recorder and electronics by Christopher Fox.

But the most vigorous work comes from Hannan himself, whose compositions strike a fascinating balance between cultural amnesia and total recall. RSRCH 4/83 is music from all over, bearing the marks of primitive vocalism, Buddhist chant, and the perfect consonances of medieval music. The piece unites tenor recorder and electronics in a mesmerizing ballet of drones whose timbres twist and harden as they drive toward the purest of cadences. A medieval shadow also falls over the title piece, which stamps a wild jungle dance from the pristine confines of a perfect fourth. It’s as relentless as Bolero, and a lot more fun.” Globe and Mail Toronto

PETER HANNAN

1. Breakdown

SATOH SOMEI

2. Kaze No Kyoku II

LUCIANO BERIO

3. Gesti

CHRISTOPHER FOX

4. Winds of Heaven Part I

5. Winds of Heaven Part II

PETER HANNAN

6. RSRCH 4/83

PETER HANNAN

7. Windows

LOUIS ANDRIESSEN

8. Ende