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Lucas Niggli & Sylvie Courvoisier: Lavin
ByOn the title track, “Lavin” Lucas Niggli smartly or should we say – sonorously, utilizes his seemingly vast array of cymbals in tandem with Ms Courvoisier’s bowing and plucking of her piano strings which to some extent hearkens or elicits thoughts of the minimalist movement. Here, the duo are quite skillful while providing an abundance of tonal coloration along with acute displays of timbre through refined and sensitive interplay. Niggli’s multifarious utilization of cymbals, bells and dissimilar percussion instruments are at times so soft you could probably hear a pin drop, of course this is partly due to the fantastic, crystal clear recording. Ms Courvoisier strums the piano strings to incite dialogue with Niggli who responds with rimshots, drum-rolls, woodblocks and other assorted percussion instruments as the listener is taken to some unidentifiable location which continues on “Miniature III”. Here, the duo engage in slightly bizarre yet altogether absorbing dialogue through fragmented themes which is also evident on pieces such as “Gate Lane” where piano, and percussion go head to head while the players display intuitiveness whether intercepting or countering each other’s moves. The piece titled, “Black Hole” conveys such a deep spatial void – as imagery once again comes to the forefront with Niggli’s utilization of gongs and low pitched toms. On this piece, Ms Courvoisier institutes briefly stated themes while either strumming the strings or creating a notable sense of depth through delicate and intelligently paced voicings.
Lavin is a splendid outing, which is performed from within and seems to expand outward via at times quiet, delicate and somber passages yet when the duo partake in vigorous dialogue they turn up the intensity level a few notches. The main ingredients here are that of disparate tonalities, color and acute improvisation yet it all sounds so unconstrained and quietly exhilarating. Recommended..........* * * *
Intakt website: www.intaktrec.ch
Personnel
Lucas Niggli
drumsAlbum information
Title: Lavin | Year Released: 1999 | Record Label: Intakt Records
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