VYACHESLAV ARTYOMOV (b.1940)/SOFIA GUBAIDULINA (b.1931)/VIKTOR SUSLIN (1942-2012): Archipelago of Sounds in the Ocean of Time, Dolcissimo, ARTYOMOV & MILES ANDERSON: Death Valley.

Description: The Astræa Ensemble was a research project initiated by Artyomov in 1975, in collaboration with fellow composers Gubaidulina and Suslin. It consisted of an evolving concept of expression using the "predominantly eastern and Transcaucasian instruments, which I was able to gather – wind, string and percussion instruments" [duduk, salamuri, tar, kiamancha, chonguri, kanon, mandolin, various types of drums, bells], initially with some form of notation, or at least planning, and latterly purely improvised. They made one recording, with two extended improvisations, available here for the first time outside Russia. The three composers explore the sonic potential of the instruments, not infrequently using 'extended' techniques beyond those that would be encountered in their original folk settings. From time to time, as tends to be the nature of group improvisations, the three players arrive 'in the zone', as it were, and a cohesive episode of rhythmically 'tight' ensemble playing ensues. In between they wander on their separate paths, awaiting the next moment of convergence. When these sonic epiphanies occur they can be quite exciting and cathartic. Artyomov's 1988 collaboration with trombonist Miles Anderson is also supposedly mostly improvised, but it is a very different type of piece, with a major contribution from electronic sources which often takes the form of rhythmic pulsations; the work is in some respects less experimental and more immediately accessible than the Astræa pieces, though perhaps accessible to a different audience who normally would not be familiar with avant garde concert improvisations. At one point it seems to be making a determined effort to turn into Atom Heart Mother ... (all you Pink Floyd fans will immediately make the connection). An intriguing alternative strand to Artyomov's output, as unlikely in its way as the film music on 04U052; Suslin is better known as a sonic experimentalist (01Q058, 01I091), so his admirers will find this less surprising.