By Ethan Iverson
original link

On fred, three Fredric Rzweski chamber compositions get persuasive performances by the Chicago group eighth blackbird. “Les Moutons de Parnurge” (1969) is a game piece. The score is simply a 65-note unison melody, which is for any number of players playing any kind of instrument. The directions are this: play the first note, play the first two notes, play the first three notes, and so on until you reach all 65, at which point you start subtracting a note each time you go through. Inevitably, a musician (or sheep) is going to make a mistake reading the music, at which point the stray is supposed to stay in its “mistake.” It should not rejoin the herd, but keep going to 65 and back and with closed ears. (This is difficult.) Eventually harmonious chaos ensues. eighth blackbird’s version ticks along as smoothly as a Steve Reich pattern piece--halfway though it just sounds luminous.

“Coming Together” (1971) combines the incessant recitation of a few lines of text by Sam Melville (murdered at Attica during the riots) over stark permutations of a minor pentatonic. While not an easy listen, it does accumulate dramatic emotional power.

“Pocket Symphony” (2000) was written for eighth blackbird. Its six movements are eclectic, not at all thorny like most of Rzweski’s recent music. (The second movement is almost Bernard Hermann-esque!) It is a good piece, and a great feature for the members of eighth blackbird, who each improvise excellent cadenzas during the short movements.

Rzweski has done more than any other composer or pianist to reawaken improvisation in classical music. (Rzweski piano works like “The People United Will Never Be Defeated!” offer the performer the opportunity to “blow,” and Rzweski can be heard improvising on someone else's music on the disc of Cornelius Cardew, We Sing To the Future!) Rzweski must be pleased that the members of eighth blackbird are all so willing and able to improvise. Not only can eighth blackbird “blow,” they are also a committed working ensemble and have a hip art package for their CD.

Copyright © 2006 Downbeat