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<< -- 2 -- Carson P Cooman A SIGNIFICANT RELEASE
When Morning Stars Begin to Fall is an effective piece because
of the trajectory the work takes -- opening quietly and subtly with the whirring
and racheting sounds of celestial mechanics and building slowly to an absolutely
ecstatic climax. The piece is loosely inspired by a few Southern folk melodies
and an original poem. The organic development over the course of the entire
work is memorable and exciting [listen -- track 12,
8:28-9:25].
The work on the disc least like the others is the five movement symphony
for chamber orchestra entitled In Autumn Days. This work is
also the earliest composition included, and it shows the influence of minimalism
on Locklair's style most strongly of any of the works. The orchestration
of this work is particularly colorful -- with the ensemble piano being used
in effective ways.
A minor quibble with the music on this recording (and something that
is often true of Locklair's 'fast music') is a certain 'sameness' which
different pieces possess. The energetic rhythmic pulsing and the asymmetrical
rhythmic groupings which Locklair employs are both individual and exciting,
but can make the pieces 'blend together' in the ear, since the techniques
are used in similar ways in all the works. Also, for example, all of the
six works on this disc end in the same way: with a build up to a fortissimo
full orchestra chord followed by an orchestral hit.
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Copyright © 18 September 2002
Carson P Cooman, Rochester, NY, USA
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