Of Montreal - The Bedside Drama: A Petite Tragedy - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

This third album in the first complete Talivaldis Keninš (1919-2008) symphony cycle includes the composer's final symphonic creation, Symphony No. 8, with a remarkable organ solo part performed by the award-winning organist Iveta Apkalna, alongside the composer's dramatic and concise 5th Symphony, both conducted by Andris Poga and performed by the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra. Talivaldis Keninš(1919-2008) wrote an impressive cycle of eight numbered symphonies. Especially the 1970s and the 1980s were fruitful years to Keninš as a symphonist both Keninš' 5th and 8th Symphonies were premiered in Toronto, the previous in 1976 and the latter in 1986. Keninš 5th Symphony starts with a powerful orchestral climax and itis a work with dark undercurrents. However, here the composer balances with two different opposite materials the robust, contemporary world meets a fairy tale landscape glittering with the magic of dusk in the Latvian countryside. The Symphony No. 8 lends itself to analysis but not to description. In this work, Keninš has quite possibly attained his highest metaphysical peak. From the storms of the first part and some longed for unattainability, through the second part's luminous chorale to the finale of the third part with it's eight double and triple beats, concluding with a single beat and transcendence. This symphony-concerto for organ and orchestra calls for a combination of masterful solo organ skills. In addition to excellent technique and a deep understanding of complex forms, a fine sense of the organ's registers is also required, so that the organ part can both blend and shine in a surprising balance of musical pattern and orchestral instrumentation.

The brand new full-length from Of Montreal, PARALYTIC STALKS sees Kevin Barnes writing with a lyrical and musical direction that is infinitely more personal than anything he has written since 2007's HISSING FAUNA, ARE YOU THE DESTROYER? Each track feeds off the last in what seems a singular album-long movement that never allows you to rip your ears away. PARALYTIC STALKS at times resembles modern classical with it's intricate compositions while at others echoes of neo-prog, pseudo-country, and 60s pop.

LOUSY WITH SYLVIANBRIAR was created with a new songwriting approach, a different recording method, and a fresh group of musicians. Like the classic albums that inspired it, this is an album to be explored, to be lived with, to be listened to in happiness and in darkness, to be dissolved into.