Subotnik, Morton - In Two Worlds
80s sci-fi meets the classical saxophone. Electronic Music don Morton Subotnik composed this work in 1987 and although the synths sound kitsch 30 years later, the counterpoint, rhythms and harmonies were crafted so carefully that we can overlook with a smile the General-MIDIesque sonorities. The alto sax writing is engaging and integrates more and more with the electronics as the piece progresses. Worlds collide in a very satisfying manner. Frantic disintegrations dissolve into haunting saxophone laments, a sort of middle movement before the robots arrive to conquer. Extended range is common in modern saxophone works but there is real nuance in how it is deployed here. Duets with Moogish voices draw us into a serial-prog-elegy which is as odd as it is enchanting. The delay is convincing and thankfully not overused. A grumpy ostinato sends us inexorably towards the wild coda. Alt.music.ballistix is a similar example of kredible kitsch.