Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Daniel Studer: Ianus

117

Daniel Studer: Ianus

By

Sign in to view read count
Daniel Studer: Ianus
Based around his experiences performing archaeological research, where he was taken by the faint sounds of the city amidst the more sonically-static environment of his work at Domus Tiberiana in the Palatin, an oasis-like location in the centre of Rome, Swiss bassist/composer Daniel Studer developed Ianus , a series of avant-garde pieces that combine new music composition with a creative music improvisational sensibility. The result is a work that challenges the senses, but is not the least bit successful in conveying, with its limited musical palette, the idea that past and present can and do commingle in a more timeless space.

With an unusual ensemble that consists of voice, clarinet, trombone, cello and double-bass, Studer's five extended pieces and two short fragments unfortunately come across as far too contrived and even worse, far too serious to be taken as more than sheer self-indulgence. With nothing of particular interest harmonically or rhythmically, one has to rely on the ambience that such work creates, and in this case it is that of generalized chaos, with little focus. And while music can certainly be used to convey disorder, the music presented here does little to draw even the most ambitious listener into its aural landscape.

The most successful pieces are, in fact, the two short fragments, in which one can hear, amidst a more spatial ambience, the sounds of the city in the far-off distance. Perhaps if Studer had expanded more on the success of these two miniatures, he might have been on to something.

Still, despite the worth of these two more introspective pieces, Ianus is, for the most part, completely incapable of even the most rudimentary revelation. It exemplifies the worst in "art music": music that starts nowhere, goes little further, yet seems so filled with implied self-worth and severity that one keeps waiting for something important to happen. Sadly, it never does.

Track Listing

Teil 1; Teil 2; Teil 3; Fragment 1; Fragment 2; Teil 4; Teil 5

Personnel

Silvia Schiavoni (voice), J

Album information

Title: Ianus | Year Released: 2004 | Record Label: Unit Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

Sensual
Rachel Z
Over and Over
Tony Monaco Trio
Love Is Passing Thru
Roberto Magris

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.