Bréviaire D'épuisements

I've wondered at times why KZSU bins classical and experimental music together. Here's a record that shows why that's right.

Composer / percussionist Isaiah Ceccarelli has created a mixture of avant-garde classical, strange noise, and perhaps a bit of jazz. These pieces are orchestrated for two female singers, two bass clarinets, a string bass, and percussion.

No FCC issues.

The 4 tracks named “Solo” are experimental noise (bass clarinets, string bass, and various sounds).
1. Solo (I). Continuous low-pitch drone. Perhaps rotating machinery. Clanging steel on steel. Impression: the monotony and oppressiveness of factory work. (5:52)
4. Solo (II) High-pitch sounds. Metal parts rubbing or scraping, rather than clanging as before. Squealing. Impression: “discord” (2:32)
9. Solo (III) The metal parts are now being sawn. Impression: “tension” (5:26)
12. Solo (IV) Loud bursts of noise between quiet pauses. Add percussion, as though the machines’ vibration is now rattling those metal parts (the cymbals & drums). Impression: “cacophony” (8:37)

The 5 tracks named “Suite” (plus two others) are song settings of French poems.
2. A solo vocalist leaps from note to note, like a student’s interval exercise. (1:20)
3. Two singers and instruments. S-L-O-W. Vox parts are close together and dissonant. (2:44)
5. More of a classical song. Separate soprano & alto parts. A bit more melodic. (1:04)
6. Mid tempo. Jazz-like pizzicato bass solo. (1:47)
8. Melodic, not as harshly avant-garde. Nice soprano & alto vocal parts, accompanied by breathy drone on one bass clarinet. (0:57)
10. * Quite likeable. Two voices and two bass clarinets (that sound like cellos). (3:55)
11. Striking contrast to 10. Vocal slides & leaps. Bass clarinet honks. (7:34)
13. A capella voices. Slow, somber, somewhat spiritual, a bit like a prayer in a mass, (6:51)

One track stands apart.
7. * Genius, madness, or both? Classical, jazz, or both? Two bass clarinets dance around each other like shapes in a Disney “Fantasia” scene. (2:08)