If you like the idea of a musical instrument being a “living creature” them Renewal Manifestation (DACAPO RECORDS DAC-LP013), composed by the Australian-Danish fellow Calum Builder, might appeal to you.
Shostakovitch was one of many classical composers who had nightmares about violins and cellos coming to life and running after him with their long, wooden limbs waving frantically in the air, and Richard Wagner likewise had an irrational fear of tubas and other brass instruments turning into giant hippos. Well, I shouldn’t mock, since Builder has a very serious intent with the organ here which he regards as an “undead spirit” and a “monster being taught how to breath and sigh”. He assigns that task to Svend Hvidtfelt Nielsen who plays the organ on this four-piece suite, while the composer himself supplies additional drones on his alto saxophone. Supporting the work are the CRUSH string collective, a modern classical chamber trio playing violin, viola and cello.
Renewal Manifestation is far from being a process-work or an over-intellectualised composition, as Builder is going straight for the romantic dreamer that lives inside all of us, hoping to stir mythic visions and suggest supernatural experiences with his eerie music. He succeeds admirably in this aim, with his unusual mixed chords and varied approaches to production, from the bitty stabs and pecking notes on the first piece to the gorgeous unearthly layered tones on track two, referring quite emphatically to the process of birth and rebirth in its title. As to that, if it’s true that “the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (ROMANS 8:26), Calum Builder comes very close to giving voice to such holy intercessions.
Grandeur, scale, and spiritual truth; could we ask for anything more from a work of art? Even the circular disc on the front cover resembles an undiscovered planet from a friendly solar system, a fitting image for these bold musical explorations. (23/02/2024)