8 Pieces

Computer music composer Carter Scholz offers a strong album with 8 Pieces. The listener is treated with a wide array of sounds, textures, and approaches. The first piece, "Lattice," is built with sustained tones, starting in unison and diverging more and more, forming a beautiful sonic ballet. In contrast, "Rhythmicon" is a percussive piece, a study in rhythm. "Kaleidophon" (both versions) uses mathematical cycles to determine when each note of a series is played. Mathematics are also at the heart of the intervals found in "Epimores," a slow dissonant piece. The 14-minute "Hamilton Circuit" is made of four tracks of digital feedback creating a deep and disquieting ever-changing atmosphere. But the album's highlight is "Luminous Void," a piece esthetically closer to audio art than computer music. Electronic sounds are blended with the voice of composer Jim Horton (to whom the piece is dedicated) and Tibetan music. The result is simply captivating. Not everyone will be able to appreciate the clever mathematics behind Scholz's compositions, but there is enough beauty in 8 Pieces to provide the electronic and computer music fan a rewarding experience. ~ François Couture, Rovi