Barry Schrader: Fallen Sparrow

by Barry Schrader

Overview

Fallen Sparrow presents four of Barry Schrader's works composed between 1989 and 2005. The common thread: they are all mixed works for electronics and live performers. Up first is the triptych "Love, In Memoriam," by and large the most interesting piece on this album. A short song cycle, it features tenor Frank Royon Le Mee interpreting three poems by Michael Glueck (in French, with an English translation provided in the booklet). The first and last of the songs are simply wonderful, especially "L'Oreille Coupee," in which the plaintive melody is accompanied by two rushed-up piano parts, creating a gripping sense of madness. In comparison, the 20-minute title piece simply sounds too dry. This seven-part suite offers a rather uninvolving electronic part for violinist Mark Menzies to duet with. Despite good passages, it fails to leave a lasting impression. "Five Arabesques," with clarinetist William Powell, is bolder and better, thanks to musical figures that are both clever and catchy. Vicki Ray is at the piano for the concluding "Ravel," which features the highest level of electronics/instrumentalist integration of the set. In the course of its 15 minutes, the piece goes through several mood swings, from cyclical motives to brooding chords and quirky clusters, all closely intertwined with the computer part, which remains very tonal throughout. Past the first few minutes, the intensity hits a peak and stays there, stealing the listener's attention and not letting go. But it does not have the emotional charge of "Love, In Memoriam," the main reason to buy Fallen Sparrow to be sure. ~ Francois Couture

Product Details

Release Date:	05/23/2006
Label:	INNOVA RECORDS
UPC:	0726708665425

Tracks

1. Love, In Memoriam, for voice & electronics~L'Oreille coup¿¿e (Severed Ear)
2. Love, In Memoriam, for voice & electronics~Marmelade d'oranges (Orange Marmalade)
3. Love, In Memoriam, for voice & electronics~Une histoire de portrait (The Portrait's Story)
4. Fallen Sparrow, for violin & electronics~Final Rest I, First Spring, Final Rest II, Mystic Night, Final Rest III, Soaring Flight, Final Rest
5. Arabesques (5), for clarinet & electronics~Arabesque 1
6. Arabesques (5), for clarinet & electronics~Arabesque 2
7. Arabesques (5), for clarinet & electronics~Arabesque 3
8. Arabesques (5), for clarinet & electronics~Arabesque 4
9. Arabesques (5), for clarinet & electronics~Arabesque 5
10. Ravel, for piano & electronics

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Barry Schrader   Primary Artist,Electronics
Frank Royon Le Mee   Vocals,Vocals
William Powell   Clarinet,Clarinet
Mark Menzies   Violin
Vicki Ray   Piano
Philip Blackburn   Director

Technical Credits

Johnny Yu   Photography
John Yu   Photography
Richard Hines   Photography
Michael Glueck   Poetry
Patrick Vaillancourt   Photography
Nicholas J. Nicolaides   Photography
Steven A. Gunther   Photography
Barry Schrader   Composer,Recording,Liner Notes,Poetry Translation
Peter Grenader   Art Direction,Graphic Design
Chris Campbell   Operation
Miriam Kolar   Engineer,Producer,Mastering
Monica Valenzuela   Photography
Caryl Bryer   Cover Art
Patrick Tourneboeuf   Photography