Passing Measures
Hearing David Lang'sThe Passing Measuresfor the first time, you can't help but feel drawn into the composer's sound world. This CD consists of just one track: one hauntingly beautiful, 42-minute track. Reminiscent of the more soothing works by Morton Feldman, Brian Eno, and Gavin Bryars, Lang's piece is as ambient as they come; a single, extended chord ebbs and flows and resonates for nearly an hour. Performed by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, clarinetist Marty Ehrlich, and a women's choir all playing as softly as possible, the entire performance was later amplified, bringing to light the eerie nature of these musicians holding back. Sounding both atmospheric and electric, the simple formula for this orchestral piece works; just don't expect much in the way of drama. The CD begins with the musicians already in flight and it ends with a simple contemplative touchdown. An acquired taste, for sure, but utterly mesmerizing.--Jason Verlinde