Album

Alexandra Gardner's Luminoso consists of works for acoustic instrumental soloists with electronic accompaniment. Among contemporary electronic works they are exceptionally attractive for the general listener. This is true for several reasons. First is the basic instrument-plus-accompaniment configuration itself, a familiar element among unfamiliar sounds. Second is the use of the digital sampler in addition to electronic sound synthesis; the listener is treated to ambient sounds (such as the barking of a dog) recorded in Barcelona, Spain, where this music was written. Third is the rhythmic element of Gardner's music, which never comes close to the pop realm in its treatment of rhythmic pattern but nevertheless has clearly appreciable motor energy. Most attractive of all, however, are the clear, intriguing structures of her pieces. Gardner often works with sampled sounds of the soloist himself or herself in her electronics, surrounding the player with expansions on what he or she has played and shading the acoustic sound off into processed variations. This effect is very skillfully handled—at times you're not quite sure whether you're hearing the player or the electronics, but you usually figure it out quickly and enjoy yourself in the process. Textures are always very carefully handled—in the marimba work Ayehli, track 3, there is less direct imitation of the marimba by the computer but a beautiful set of close relationships that eventually leaves you feeling like the marimba is the more mechanical of the two elements. There's something slightly improvisatory about Gardner's thinking, and it comes as no surprise to learn that New Skin, track 6, is partly improvised by Gardner and flutist Barbara Held from sounds recorded in Barcelona at sunrise. Compared with the obsessive detail attending some contemporary electronic pieces, this gives you an idea of the freely creative feel of Gardner's music, and of its delights for the listener.

© James Manheim, All Music Guide

CD 1
Alexandra Gardner Composer Luminoso, for guitar & sampled sounds Work Barbara Held Flute (Alto), Harry Sparnaay Clarinet (Bass), Alexandra Gardner Electronics, Enrique Malo Lop Guitar, Philip Blackburn Director
1	Luminoso, for guitar & sampled sounds	6:14			$0.99
Alexandra Gardner Composer Tourmaline, for soprano saxophone & computer sound Work Barbara Held Flute (Alto), Harry Sparnaay Clarinet (Bass), Xelo Giner Saxophone, Alexandra Gardner Electronics, Philip Blackburn Director
2	Tourmaline, for soprano saxophone & computer sound	9:37			$1.49
Alexandra Gardner Composer Ayehli, for marimba & sampled sounds Work Barbara Held Flute (Alto), Robert Armengol Marimba, Harry Sparnaay Clarinet (Bass), Alexandra Gardner Electronics, Philip Blackburn Director
3	Ayehli, for marimba & sampled sounds	11:36			$1.99
Alexandra Gardner Composer Ónice, for bass clarinet & processed sounds Work Barbara Held Flute (Alto), Harry Sparnaay Clarinet (Bass), Alexandra Gardner Electronics, Philip Blackburn Director
4	Ónice, for bass clarinet & processed sounds	9:15			$1.49
Alexandra Gardner Composer Snapdragon, for trombone & electronics Work Carlos Gil Ferrer Trombone, Barbara Held Flute (Alto), Harry Sparnaay Clarinet (Bass), Alexandra Gardner Electronics, Philip Blackburn Director
5	Snapdragon, for trombone & electronics	10:56			$1.99
Alexandra Gardner Composer New Skin, a sunrise meditation for alto flute & computer Work Barbara Held Flute (Alto), Harry Sparnaay Clarinet (Bass), Alexandra Gardner Electronics, Philip Blackburn Director
6	New Skin, a sunrise meditation for alto flute & computer	14:48			$2.49