Search - Donald Erb, Cavani Quartet, Audrey Andrist :: Donald Erb: The Watchman Fantasy; Aura II; Five Red Hot Duets; String Quartet No. 2

High Drama and Low Comedy

Barley | City of Angels | 06/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is wonderful modern chamber music. Donald Erb really has a sense of the theatrical; his pieces are filled with mysterious creatures--mostly nocturnal--that appear and interact with the others, then disappear just as mysteriously. The Watchman Fantasy is very much this type of piece: intriguing, surprising, almost narrative in structure. Aura II is somewhat less interesting on this recording. It would probably be better in live performance, as it calls for several "percussionists" to be planted throughout the audience.The string quartet is haunting, powerful and emotional--maybe not quite as inspired nor rich as Ligeti or Bartok, but with its pizzicato here and wailing discord there, it's quite satisfying.The reason to buy this CD, however (and you should), is the Five Red Hot Duets for Contrabassoon. These are wonderful, deep, growling, funny, plaintive instruments that are largely underused in both the modern and classical repertoire. Erb's duets have such a presence, such a life to them. Parts could be two bulldogs fighting, one bear helping another out of a trap, a cartoon burglary, a courtship ritual of whales . . . . This CD lives mostly in my car and has become a frequent soundtrack for me as I negotiate traffic. It simultaneously takes me to another world and allows me to feel altogether present in a somewhat more light-hearted version of this world."