Anna Thorvaldsdottir was a cellist before she became a composer, and this 11-section work includes two cello parts as well as one for piano and some electronics. The central figure in the work, however, is the flute of Claire Chase, who commissioned the work as part of her “Density 2036” series leading up to the 100th anniversary of Edgard Varèse’s Density 21.5. There are motives here recalling that work, but it is the more general resemblance that is most interesting, and it is safe to say that lovers of Varèse will be drawn to the new developments in the idiom here.
Ubique is not a solo work like that of Varèse, but the flute emerges from a neutral background in chunks of distortion, extended technique, and occasional lyricism. It is quite…

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us

« »