|
 | Larry Kucharz:Electrochoral Dreams (International Audiochrome - 1998) A follow-up to his 1997 Metachoral Visions; the long streams which flow from Larry Kucharz' synthesizers keep evolving, growing warmer and more lush while still retaining their uncluttered beauty. |
| The choral stylings are more subtle this time around, with less emphasis on the overt "ahhh" sounds, as evidenced by the short (2:56) Spires, which leads us into Electrochoral Dreams. Cascading layers of higher and lower ranges highlight Palestrina which is built upon a more string-like sound. The tones which become Gothic surge forward like rushing waves on some idyllic shore. The sustained strains of Modus weave together in long layers of varying pitches. This piece could be the soundtrack for a glorious mountain sunrise with its slowly building grandeur. The choral "voices" of Tempus shift in a relatively rapid way, giving this piece much more movement than Kucharz' other pieces, though it still remains quite dreamy. Gorgeous Ars Sacra, to me, seems both pastoral and and church-like, making me think of nature as religion, gently rolling hills as a natural temple. You can think whatever you like, just be quiet and let me enjoy my thoughtful and enlightening solitude here. The extended notes of Mosaic are adorned with a faintly clattery artifact, creating a sort of self-accompaniment as they flow forth in waves of varying pitch and duration. Misto exemplifies the stark loveliness of Kucharz' best work, eschewing fancy processing techniques to rely on simply radiating sonic waves. Portal hearkens back to some of Kucharz' earlier works by virtue of its more minimal style and repetition of shorter tonal lengths; it's also the longest running track at just over 13 minutes. Tapestry unfolds as the filmic closing; assorted colors and weights of sonic thread intertwine in an almost symphonic sheet of sound. I wonder if Larry's considered scoring for Elizabethan Romance movies?
|
| If you already enjoy Larry Kucharz' brand of sound, Electrochoral Dreams will not disappoint you, and if you're new to Larry's work, then this would be a fine introduction. My thumb is firmly elevated!
You can read more at the Kucharz web page at Hypnos Recordings. |  |
 |