By Stef Gijssels
Before we discuss the performance, let’s have a look at the ingredients.
First, there are the ‘flat bells’ of Spanish percussionist Vasco Trilla, as demonstrated on this video.
Third, there is the inspiration from “Musique Funèbre” by Polish composer Witold Lutosławski. The funeral music is dark and ominous.
The music stands out for its distinctive sonority: a shadowed organ and tolling, solemn bells strengthened by carefully drawn bass lines and the hushed rasp of muted strings. It unfolds at an unhurried, deliberate pace, assured in its direction, sustaining a paradoxical stillness charged with tension. Gentle yet wandering, it carries a deep gravitas, colored by sounds that arrive with quiet surprise.
The liner notes describe the music even better: “The music has no direction. Neither a clear beginning nor an ending. Like poison ivy, it just expands in an erratic manner, slowly imposing its evil nature to the space surrounding it. Its roots deepen slowly into your consciousness until it gains control of your soul”.
That should get your interest and attention!