These ten singular compositions by
Gregorio
share one thing in common: a rare ability to express astonishing collages of sound, interspersed with outstanding individual improvisation, resulting in surprisingly accessible sounds that baffle as they fully absorb the listener. In an incisive essay the composer cites varieties of constructivism and concrete art as influences and wisely eschews the self-expression of so much of free improvisation in favor of "...an event that can be shared, enjoyed, and understood by others...." Nonetheless, this is abstract music, where graphic scores, odd meters, and geometric constructs play a central role. The unusual instrumentation of clarinet or alto saxophone (
), plus vibraphone or marimba (
Carrie Biolo
), cello or cornet (
Fred Lonberg-Holm
), and a couple of string basses on a handful of tracks (
Michael Cameron
and
Kent Kessler
), combined with brilliant composing, leads repeatedly to unexpected results. The influences of 20th century classical music are felt throughout (one of the pieces is dedicated to
Luigi Nono
), but the sounds span and incorporate several genres in highly original ways. ~ Steven Loewy