Takemitsu: A Flock Descends Into Pentagonal / Spirit Garden / Dreamtime
Exotic without seeming alien, soothing without being dull, and harmonically rich, the music of Toru Takemitsu has the feel of Debussy, with some sonorities of Messiaen for good measure. The dreamy quality and artful colors Takemitsu gets from an orchestra are unique, using bells for both atmosphere and pure sound, with occasionally dissonant disruptions without ever being ugly. On this CD, made up of five works covering more than 35 years of composition, conductor Marin Alsop and the Bournemouth Symphony capture just the right mood for each piece. Even the brief Waltz from the filmFace of Anotherkeeps its creepy underpinnings despite the lilting rhythm. The big climaxes inA Flock Descendsgrow organically from the music's free-ish form and never seem like wake-up calls. The inherent sadness inSolitude Sonoreis brought out by the graceful playing of the strings. Takemitsu's music glistens; it seems luxurious even when it's spare. If you aren't familiar with it, this CD will tickle your senses.--Robert Levine