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CD
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POTOMAK 921492
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Berlin-based composer/musician Ari Benjamin Meyers presents Symphony X -- a work of symphonic scale that combines elements of hardcore, experimental, and minimal music into an entirely original musical texture. Meyers has written this 70-minute composed piece specifically for his unique 17-member Redux Orchestra, which includes saxophones, brass, strings, electric guitar, electric bass, drums, and electronics. This physically demanding work combines complex, repetitive instrumental arrangements with electro-noise, martial percussion rhythms, and intense guitar melodies. At a constant tempo of 120bpm, it escalates into a veritable tour de force. The intensity of Symphony X rests on its extremes: static, pounding repetition, layered against an almost unnoticeably-slow variation of melodic and harmonic patterns -- a compositional style that Steve Reich characterized as "gradual process." By uniting the formalistic structures of classical and minimal music with the sonic palette of rock, hardcore, and electronic music, Meyers has further developed his musical language, and with Symphony X, has taken it to a new level. Meyers builds upon experiences gained from collaborations with Philip Glass, Einstürzende Neubauten, The Residents, Morton Subotnik, The Orb, and Sun Electric, among others, as well as his work for classical institutions, including the Semper Opera Dresden and the Berlin State Opera. Nevertheless, Symphony X is not a crossover work, but a musical hybrid that will get the attention of audiences both at the classical symphony hall and at rock music festivals: two arenas that are very familiar to Ari Benjamin Meyers and his Redux Orchestra. With Symphony X, Ari Benjamin Meyers has created a work that demands we reconsider what we think we know about "new music." Artwork is by the internationally-known video and installation artist Anri Sala, and is taken from his video Three Minutes.
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