Rothko Chapel

20th century “new music” compositions, experimental music you’d find playing Davies or Carnegie Hall (if you are extremely lucky). Taking “classical” to another level, the late Feldman (1926-1987)is really like the Hendrix of “new music”, having broken ground in the 50’s. Droning, hypnotic moments, interlaced with sheer beautiful melodic choral/symphonic compostion. What Eno, Harold Budd might hear in their dreams. Recorded by the UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus and California EAR people in 1991.

Note: Historians believe that these compositions may have been Feldman's tribute to the Holocaust and other victims of genocide. The label thought it appropriately released close to the aniversary of 9-11.

1) mournful cello dominates, slow sparse and mindful, electronic ambience comes through in places but this has an overall classical, filmic feel
2) slow drum beat with cello again, building darkness, chill
3) treated vocal quality in a trippy drony eno way, the cd diverges from a classical feel at this point into more avante, experimentalism
4) choral vocs again, minimalism at start, cello joins in, sad, really stellar in its beauty
5) stunning, sad, quite, melodic, masterpiece to make Eno/Harold Budd just throw their hands up and quit
6) LONG track (~30min) slow flute, piano minimalism, dischordant and disturbing yet beautiful and elating simultaneiously