Jason Kao Hwang: Myths of Origin

Violinist and composer Jason Kao Hwang has worked with groups of every size, from duos up to full orchestras. "Myths of Origin" is one of his large-scale pieces, an imposing 42-minute work for an improvising string orchestra and drum set. It runs without interruption, but the recording breaks it down into nine sections.

The music starts slowly, rising in a mass of seething bowed strings with a slight trace of Asian melody. It progresses into a dense cloud of buzzing accented by single drum strikes from Andrew Drury, and solo bits of guitar and violin. By the time the "Multiply and Rise" section begins, the sound has congealed into a menacing march with one violin wildly soloing a hoedown on the top. That spreads out into a gauzy gliding reminiscent of the strings on the orchestral Mahavishnu Orchestra album, Apocalypse, (Columbia, 1974), but decorated with drum and cymbal rattling. Bouncy interplay between the cellos and violinist Elena Moon Park follows, leading to heavy, muffled beats and quiet bowing on "Landmarks Vanish." Drums and sawing violas dominate for a bit until the guitars step up with circular chopping figures as the bowed strings swirl.

"Where Fools Fear" returns briefly to the massed orchestral swarming. Then the bass and drums settle into a slow rocking heel-and-toe rhythm and the string sections gradually pick up the tempo. A later highlight sees Che Chen's guitar quietly churn against the bowed violas of Ginger Dolden and Pete Lanctot. The slow rock beat comes back heavier and louder on "Anthem of Knowing." As things roll on towards the end, single violins wail above a creeping whirlpool of sound that eventually recedes into an epilogue of groaning bass and wobbly cello.

This piece transcends all kinds of genres, throwing folk, classical, rock, funk, and jazz elements into its stew. It moves like an unwieldy but soaring sonic edifice as the musicians pull together with an impressive unity of purpose. This is a powerful work, some of the heaviest music Jason Kao Hwang has created to date.

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