Search - Erik Friedlander :: Maldoror

Dark, Weird & Accessible

01/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this because I saw a piece on Erik and this record in the Wire, a magazine I really trust. And though it's not the kind of thing I usually pick up, I love Maldoror. It consists of dark and atmospheric cello scraping, bowing, plucking, and pulling -- all improvised. I know, I know, it sounds like it'd be really weird and inaccessible, but there's something about Friedlander's sense of melody, his technique, and his ability to compose on the fly that makes this a record a classy little thing. It makes me think of dark moments, French films, and John Coltrane's best work. Try it. You'll like it."

Fantastic performances.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 05/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Maldoror" is a unique concept, producer Michael Montes put text rom Comte de Lautreamont in front of Friedlander-- the master cellist read the text and improvised what he saw. The results are nothing short of breathtaking.



If you're not familiar with Friedlander's work with John Zorn and others, you're likely in for quite a pleasant surprise-- I can think of very few musicians I have had the pleasure of hearing who possess such a stunning command of their instrument as Friedlander does. His technique is overwhelming, particularly in pizzicato, and as an improviser, he is agile and inventive. These lead to the great strength of this record, namely that Friedlander can through his technique express something much more visceral than one would expect from any musical performance.



The improvisations are largely oriented on texture and space, whether arco or pizzicato-- each note counts, as does each lack of note. Friedlander may have an overwhelming technique, but what makes both him and this recording brilliant is his ability to make decisions about when to show it and when not to. "The Wind Groans", for example, is better served by long tones and understated delivery, to meet the mood of the piece he read, then it is by any show of powerful playing.



For fans of improvised music and virtuoso performance, this album is essential. Highly recommended."