KONTRABASDUO STUDER-FREY - Zeit
Leo Records CD LR 837
Daniel Studer: double bass, electronics; Peter K. Frey: double bass, electronics; with Jurg Frey, clarinets and Alfred Zimmerlin, violoncello.
Home recordings and at ‘Rote Fabrik’, Zurich, 2004 and at Studio 2, Radio SRF2 Kultur, Zurich and at Tramwerkstatt, Zurich, on various dates, 2004-2018
Although there are 10 tracks listed in the sleeve notes, I’m convinced that they are so presented as to deliver one whole work. Studer and Frey have worked together for some 20 years and the time has naturally brought about a mutual awareness and understanding each of the other and of their musical intentions.
Studer teaches improvisation and composition at the Bern University of the Arts. He works his bass in improvised music and as a composer in the Basel electronic studio. Frey works essentially as a composer for visual art installations and theatre and both work with electronics.
Notwithstanding the apparent lack of any pattern or the seeming unpredictability within each piece, there is a complete notation leading the musicians, who might in fact be organised in such a way as to prohibit each of them from listening to any of the others! The entire album does need solicitously mindful listening, but that is no hardship as I found it to be a calming experience whilst remaining inspiring.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Leo Records CD LR 837
Daniel Studer: double bass, electronics; Peter K. Frey: double bass, electronics; with Jurg Frey, clarinets and Alfred Zimmerlin, violoncello.
Home recordings and at ‘Rote Fabrik’, Zurich, 2004 and at Studio 2, Radio SRF2 Kultur, Zurich and at Tramwerkstatt, Zurich, on various dates, 2004-2018
Although there are 10 tracks listed in the sleeve notes, I’m convinced that they are so presented as to deliver one whole work. Studer and Frey have worked together for some 20 years and the time has naturally brought about a mutual awareness and understanding each of the other and of their musical intentions.
Studer teaches improvisation and composition at the Bern University of the Arts. He works his bass in improvised music and as a composer in the Basel electronic studio. Frey works essentially as a composer for visual art installations and theatre and both work with electronics.
Notwithstanding the apparent lack of any pattern or the seeming unpredictability within each piece, there is a complete notation leading the musicians, who might in fact be organised in such a way as to prohibit each of them from listening to any of the others! The entire album does need solicitously mindful listening, but that is no hardship as I found it to be a calming experience whilst remaining inspiring.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
